Patrick Wilson

Patrick Wilson was born on January 26, 1940 in Clarksburg, Maryland, the second oldest of four children of Patrick and Lucy Wilson. Pat, as his friends and family affectionately called him, attended public school in the District of Columbia, and later trained as a Technical Illustrator at Phelps Vocational School.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Pat worked for the McLaughlin Research Center and the USA Foreign Science and Technology Corporation. He later found his niche working for the federal government at Naval Sea Systems Command as a Visual Information Specialist in Crystal City, Virginia from 1969 until 1991 when he retired. Several letters of commendation have been written concerning his extraordinary expertise in performance of technical skills over and above what was required.

During his early years, Pat was befriended by the Hawkins family and spent quality time in their home. He and their son, Alphonso, became fast friends, and Pat soon became a member of the family. Pat and his best friend, Alphonso, were responsible young men who dearly loved their siblings. As a young boy Pat took care of his baby brother Harold, while his parents were at work during the summer months. Alphonso also took care of and was in charge of his little sister. In addition, both Patrick and Alphonso had an extreme love for basketball. So, the two young friends would simply pack the babies into their strollers and allow them to “watch” as they had the time of their lives on the basketball court, while trying to keep a watchful eye on the younger siblings.

Early in his childhood, Pat was determined to be independent and successful. While others were outside playing after school, he would find odd jobs in his neighborhood to become more self-sufficient financially. At the age of 17 when his father passed away, Pat bravely took on the responsibility of taking care of his mother and siblings, eventually building his mother a house so she would be close to him as she got older. He married and was an excellent provider for his wife, Alysa Michele and Cindy Renee, whom he adored.

During the early years with his children, his daughter Alysa especially recalls how he enjoyed taking her outside with him on the riding mower and to the basketball court to watch him play (how she loved that!). Frequently the family would be found swimming in the backyard pool, with Pat teaching his daughters tricks from the diving board. One of the tenderest memories from Joy was his habit of giving her gifts on his birthday, so that he would not be the only one opening presents.

Pat avidly loved sports, especially basketball (Bullets/Wizards), football (Redskins), and golf (Tiger Woods). During the many years he lived in Fredericksburg, Pat enjoyed using his skills to build houses for his family (and also volunteered and built churches in South America). In 2002, he married Dianna and has since resided in Newnan, Georgia. Pat had a pleasant outlook on and lust for life, a willing spirit to help anyone in need, and he rarely missed an opportunity to show his love for people. He also loved the Lord and always wanted the best for his family.

Pat is preceded in death by the untimely passing of his beloved daughter Cindy Davis. He will be remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Dianna Wilson (and four stepsons); his daughter, Alysa Gorham (husband Reginald); grandchildren, Donovan Wilson, Christopher Davis, Jaelyn Gorham, Wesley Gorham; sister, Helen Dansby; brothers, James Wilson, and Harold Wilson (wife Morine, children, Patrick and Harold), in addition to many other relatives and a multitude of friends.

“We love you and will hold memories of your smile, concern for others, and positive and outgoing spirit ALWAYS.”

“Remembering is an act of resurrection, each repetition a vital layer of mourning, in memory of those we are sure to meet again.”

Services will be held at Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, Fort Washington, Maryland on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 2 p.m.