Jack LeRoy Wilson

Jack LeRoy Wilson unexpectedly hung up his tools for the last time on Friday, May 8, 2020, in the arms of Janice Wilson, his devoted wife, of 51 years. His heart, as Jack would say about most things, “works until it doesn’t.”

The life that Jack built began in Portland, Oregon when he was welcomed to the world on August 10, 1946, by the late Joseph Dale Wilson, Sr. and Anna Lou (Fields) Wilson. Jack’s competitive and inquisitive nature pushed him to play hard and work hard while growing up with his two older brothers, Joe (deceased April 6, 2020) and Jim Wilson. Eventually, Jack moved to Salem, Oregon, where he met his future wife in the 9th grade at Waldo Middle School. The ice-cold water of the Willamette River couldn’t deter Jack’s love of water skiing or soaking up the sun. If he wasn’t in the water, then he was daydreaming about being a pilot. Eventually, his love of flying led him to achieve his pilot’s license and become an ROTC drill team leader in college.

The career that Jack built started with his firm foundation as a graduate of Oregon State University in 1968 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. After graduation, Jack entered Air Force pilot training in Enid, Oklahoma. He graduated at the top of his class and became an instructor pilot flying the T-38. The Air Force gave Jack the wings to travel, serving at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Williams Air Force Base in Arizona, King Salmon Air Force Base in Alaska, Edwards Air Force Base in California, Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, and Brooks Air Force base in Texas. Never satisfied with mediocrity, Jack also pushed himself to earn two master’s degrees, a Master of Science in Systems Management from USC (1977), and a Master of Science in Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology (1979). After 20 years of service, Jack retired in June of 1988 as a Lt. Colonel.

The family that Jack built centered around his beautiful wife, Janice (Volding) Wilson whom he married on April 26, 1969, and their two boys Kevin Wilson (47) and Daryl Wilson (48), and his daughter-in-law, Emily Wilson (47). Although retired from the military, Jack’s intrinsic motivation and drive enabled him to work for several companies in operations research, often as a consultant to the military. He celebrated a second retirement in 2004 but continued to consult over the next 5 years. Jack was never one to sit still. You could usually find him in the water at Canyon Lake with his family and friends, boating or skiing, walking the greens on a golf course, running the courts at racquetball, tennis or pickleball or in his impressive woodworking shop carving or making one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture for family or friends. Occasionally you could find Jack taking a break buried in a good book or watching one of his favorite sports teams, the San Antonio Spurs or the Dallas Cowboys.

The legacy that Jack built lives on in more than the house he built with his own two hands, or the stories of him restoring cars, usually with his sons, like a 1967 Mustang, a 1929 Ford Model A Hot Rod, a Triumph Spitfire and an MG Midget. His passion for life will also live on in his grandchildren, Hayley Yarbrough (22), Kyle (18), Molly (18), Julia (17), and David (14). His legacy lives on not only in what he did, but in the way he made people feel. Jack never let an opportunity pass him by to learn from others, often engaging in dynamic conversations that were intellectually stimulating for all parties. Regardless of the topics of debate, everyone who knew him felt loved, heard, and supported.

On his last day, Jack was doing what he loved the most, taking care of the house that Jack built. After mowing the lawn, he came in for lunch, sat down, and took his last breath.

*In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Jack’s honor. The family will be celebrating Jack’s life privately at home.