John Andrew Wilson

John Andrew Wilson (Jack), 93, passed from this life to the next on 21 October 2008 after a short but stubborn battle with pneumonia. He was born 3 November 1914 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, grew up in Andover and earned a B.A. in Geology from the University of Michigan in 1937. Jack continued his education as a graduate student under the direction of the preeminent vertebrate paleontologist Dr. E. C. Case and participated in fossil collection trips to the Permian Basin area of west Texas. After earning his Doctorate in 1941, he joined the faculty at the Idaho School of Mines prior to joining the U.S. Navy in 1943. During WWII he served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock, saw action throughout the Pacific Theater and took part in some of the great naval battles of the South Pacific. He left the Navy at war's end as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. Jack joined the University of Texas Geology Department in 1946. Founding UT's Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory housed at the Pickle Research Center is one of Jack's many significant contributions to the University and his profession. He served as the Lab's first Director until 1969 and continued to teach at UT until his retirement in 1976. Dr. Wilson was a charter member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, the world's leading paleontological organization. In October, 2000, the Society awarded him its highest honor, the Romer-Simpson Medal in recognition of his founding of the UT Lab, of the many professional paleontologists he trained and for his many scientific contributions to vertebrate paleontology. Subsequent to Jack's retirement the John A. Wilson Chair in Vertebrate Paleontology was created by his many friends and students. Jack met and subsequently married Marjorie May Kress Wilson at the University of Michigan in 1938. From that point until Marge's death in 1991, they built a successful career, traveled and fully enjoyed the fellowship of students, friends and colleagues. In between they raised sons Ken, Steve and Chris Wilson each now living in Austin with their wives Verena, Kay Nell and Carol. We all have fond memories of trips to Rockport with the Jack and Evelyn Myers family, fishing and water sports at the house on Lake Travis, Jack's margaritas, our dog who knew the difference between fossils and minerals, the martini flag proudly flying and untold number of visitors and friends. Couldn't have been better. Jack was blessed to have a second wonderful lady enter his life, Ruth E Wilson Moore who had previously lost her husband Cecil Moore. Their lives together were marked by retirement travel and very large measures of devotion to each other and family. Best of all, they made each other laugh. Ruth resides in Round Rock. Additional survivors include grandchildren Philipp, Eric and Mark Wilson; Kim Ferraro and Stephanie Wilson; Laura Meadows and Sarah Wilson as well as five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Sid Wilson of Omaha, Nebraska, Bob Wilson of Dover, New Hampshire and numerous other relatives. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N Lamar. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either: The Salvation Army / Development, PO Box 1000, Austin TX 78767 or to the John A. Wilson Excellence Fund to be established through Dr. Wilson's estate for the benefit of vertebrate paleontology at The University of Texas, Austin. Please send those contributions to UT Austin – Wilson Excellence Fund, P. O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713-7458.