David Lee Wilkinson

David Lee Wilkinson most recently of Pompano Beach, Florida passed away peacefully in his home, in the care of his loving wife, Gelmi Arrieta Alegria, this past Friday, March 27th. He is survived by his wife, their six children, Gelmi Maria Sanson de Tanfulla (Luciano Tanfulla), Silvio Luis Vega (Elizabeth Michalak de Vega), Nicolas Jose Vega (Nur Vega), Maria Isabel Ossi (David Ossi), Gerardo Jose Pasquier and Larissa Pasquier Wilson, as well as twenty-two grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

David was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on August 17, 1941 and was the only surviving child of Donald and Eunice Wilkinson, both deceased. His much loved younger brother Donald Wilkinson, also pre-deceased him. The family moved from West Virginia to Bradenton, Florida around 1954 when David was a young teen . He finished growing up in the Bradenton area, graduated from Manatee High School in 1959 and received an A.A. degree from Manatee Junior College, and then a B.S. degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Later in life, David went back to school at the University of Oklahoma where he earned a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior.

As a young man, David’s love of music led him to drumming and to gigs with touring rock bands. He enjoyed music throughout his life and kept up his drumming skills. In retirement, he participated in music ministry. Raised in the Baptist church, he converted to Catholicism as an adult and enjoyed sharing his musical talent by serving as a drummer during mass.

In his twenties, David joined the U.S. Air Force, attending officer’s training school at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He went on to serve for 27 years, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was a member of the 7350th Support Group at Templehof Central Airport in Germany, which was recognized for meritorious service in 1968 and 1969 helping to maintain air access to and from geographically isolated Berlin and therefore earned the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

In 1992, David met Dr. Gelmi Arrieta Alegria and married her two years later in 1994. He enjoyed a fulfilling semi-retirement with Gelmi running the “Hatman”, a business they built together over two decades, supporting an entire village in Latin America with their sales of hand made hats at local fairs all over the country. He enjoyed travels with Gelmi including lots of international travel and worked at learning Spanish. David also published two books on money management and was actively involved in civic affairs, most recently through his work with the 2020 census.

An outstanding son, brother and friend, loving husband and father figure, David will be much mourned and missed by his surviving family. May he find rest in the loving care of his father in heaven. Private funeral services will be held at the Kraeer Funeral Home, in Margate, Florida, after which David will be buried with military honors in the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Fl. Interested parties can donate in David’s name to their local veteran’s support groups.