James David Wilkinson Jr.

JAMES DAVID WILKINSON, JR. Jim was the son of Cora Teague and James D. Wilkinson, Sr., born in Memphis, TN on January 28, 1934. He attended Bartlett High School, before entering the U.S. Air Force, during the Korean War. Jim died on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Methodist Hospice Residence, after a courageous bout with pancreatic cancer. Jim met his best friend and right hand, Paula Holt Moseley while doing the Parents Against Illegal Narcotics, started by Sheriff Bill Morris, and she was the “Popcorn Lady” in the concession stand at Sheffield High School. They married on January 19, 1972 at Kingsway Christian Church. He was retired from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department as a Lieutenant in 1990. He began his career as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in 1970. After his retirement, Jim worked for Pro Tech Security at Memphis University School, and later for Wackenhut at First Tennessee Bank in Olive Branch. Jim was a Charter member of the Poplar East Optimist Club for 30 years, serving in many capacities on the club, district and international levels. He served as Optimist Governor of the Tennessee District in 1982-83. Jim was named Officer of the Decade by Memphis and Shelby County Bar Association and was awarded the Most Outstanding Civic Club President by the Gavel Club. When Poplar East disbanded, Jim joined the Curve Optimist Club, which he was an instrumental part of building. Jim was also honored as one of President George H.W. Bush’s Thousand Points of Light. Jim has served as a Chief for the Neighborhood Watch at Plantation Lakes Subdivision in Olive Branch. Jim was a member of Piperton United Methodist Church and Unity Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cora Teague and James D. Wilkinson, Sr., his two sisters, Shirley Wilkinson Lewis and Bernice Wilkinson Walker, and a son, Randy Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife, Paula and his son and wife, H. Kenneth and Jane Moseley, Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren, Andrew, Dustin and Devin Moseley and step-grandchildren, Tara (Peter) Levinson, Tiffany (Jake) Bondurant and Ryan Trotter, and five great-grandchildren, Tiara and Tasha Levinson and Bryce, Avery and Taylin Bondurant. Visitation will be Friday, October 26 from 5-8 p.m.; and funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 27, all at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 5599 Poplar Ave. Interment with honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100