Carl Clarence Wilson Jr.

Elder CARL CLARENCE WILSON JR. Esquire

July 1, 1963 – April 3, 2017

Carl is irreplaceable. It is difficult to put into words how much he meant to us all and how much we will miss him. Carl was a cherished husband, faithful brother, beloved uncle, dear friend, caring God-father, an upright colleague, devoted fellow clergy and so much more.

Our beloved Carl Clarence Wilson Jr. was born on July 1, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan (USA) to his loving mother Gertrude Jenkins Kilpatridge and father Carl C. Wilson Sr. Carl loved Detroit and he was intricately familiar with every inch of his city. Carl was the only son of his parents and the first-born child of his siblings. In his formative years, Carl was a very active young student, very bright and loved to experiment. As a matter of fact, as a child he created his own experiments. Like the one where he learned that if you dropped a cat from the rooftop of a garage, the cat would always land directly on its feet; even if you dropped the can seven times. Or that to jump from the top bunk-bed onto a distant table was a more exciting way to get out of bed in the morning.

Interestingly, it was his Grandmother, whom he lovingly called, Nanny, that introduced him to the love of reading. He personally gave credit to his Grandmother for teaching him how to read. At a very early age, Nanny taught him to play the piano, as well as the word-building game Scrabble, which remained his favorite board game throughout the years. Carl was a brilliant child who learned to read by the time he was three years old.

Like his mother, Gertrude, Carl Clarence Wilson Jr. was intelligent, bold, explorative and determined. His love for his Mother was enduring. He was faithfully devoted to her. He spoke fondly of the song his mother sang to him as a child. She was a jazz singer and performer who would sing to her son often, “I love you; a bushel and a peck. A bushel and a peck I do…”

Like his Dad, Carl was a loving man; very handsome and wise; trustworthy, caring, honest, good, faithful, an excellent communicator, a leader, a scholar, time-conscious, athletic, anointed. Oh, and did I say handsome? Carl and his Dad enjoyed boat-riding, catching fish, horse-back riding and above all sports. Without doubt we know that Carl was greeted by both his parents in the heavens with exceeding joy with the Lord.

As Carl grew strong, he also acquired a keen scholarly aptitude. It is significant to note that He held a high regard for the virtues of hard work and social justice. As a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout, Carl received the highest honors and achievements. Carl Clarence Wilson Jr. was self-motivated, successful and an amazing listener. He mastered all academic levels, including high school, under-graduate and graduate levels. We all know just how much Carl loved both watching and playing football. Where there was a Superbowl game, there was Carl. He was a key player in both high school and college football. In college, they called him “the Juice”. He played the position of running back because he was fast! He played hard, became team captain and was very respected. It is well known that very early in their relationship, Carl made a point of teaching his sweetheart (Melodie) the rules of the game on their first date. He would shout out with a big smile, “Nice job Melodie! You have a good arm!” He was always so very encouraging.

In 1985, Carl searched for more of God and found Him in a way that changed the course of his life. After careful search of the Scriptures, he decided to be baptized by immersion in water at Solomon’s Temple where Bishop William Lee Bonner was his pastor and teacher. There he received the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues. Committed to his brothers and sisters of Solomon’s Temple, Carl sang in the choir, played the trumpet, worked with the youth department, participated in the radio ministry, served as a deacon, became an ordained minister and took on the mantle of ‘Elder’ in accordance with the guidelines of ordination. Without wavering, Carl remained steadfastly committed to his work with his church family and clergy of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) and to all those who called upon the name of the Lord. Maintaining an upright relationship with Christ meant everything to Carl. He loved God and was favored, loved and gifted by God. He was sent by God and has now has gone back to God.

After completing his Wayne State University English Degree, Carl systematically pursued and obtained his Juris Doctorate in Law from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan. He successfully and proudly passed the Michigan Bar to practice the discipline he loved—Law. Motivated to be the best in his field, Attorney Wilson went on to obtain additional Law Licenses. They are as follows: The District of Columbia Bar in Washington D.C.; the U.S. District for the Eastern District of Michigan Bar; the U.S. District of South Carolina Bar; and the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals License. Only recently did he pass the Canadian Law School Equivalency by the National Committee on Accreditation in preparation to practice Law in Ontario. These affiliations were matched with his many years of practice as a Legal Defense Attorney in the court room, including at the highest court of appeals in Washington D.C. He published with the Michigan Bar Journal. He also presented at the following venues: The American Bar Association, George W. Crockett Jr. Community Law School, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the NAACP Detroit Branch and the University of Regina, Canada. Carl was a diligent mentor and counsellor who also penned his own autobiography. His own legal business he called Zenas Law – named after the lawyer in scripture. Paul writes: "Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them." Those in his home community of Detroit, Michigan where he served in a legal capacity will always remember his spirited advocacy of justice taken on their behalf.

In 1993, Carl married the love of his life—Melodie Dawn. He always affectionately called her “Favor” because, he said, he had obtained great favor from the Lord. Together they experienced a rewarding and fulfilling marriage of twenty-three and a half years — a covenant which was never broken. With each other they learned the meaning of laughter, commitment and how to walk with God. They did everything together, right down to the fine-tuned details. They loved to hold hands, pray together, engage in intellectual discussions, read old English literature, search the Scriptures, listen to Motown music, study the Hebrew language, entertain company, travel and they loved children. Mostly they supported each other in all their goals and aspirations. Together they proved God in all their ways and He, in turn, remained faithful every step of the way. They believed in an unmistakable God who they turned to for everything.

In 2016, our dear Brother was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the head and neck. By December it was deemed incurable. He was positive, strong and his faith was solid as a rock. Throughout this journey, Elder Wilson was positioned for his healing, yet remained steadfast to do God’s will, trusting in the Lord. He never said one negative word. On Monday, April 3rd, 2017, in the quiet beauty of his own home, Carl Clarence Wilson Jr. transitioned softly and peacefully at the age of 53 years, forever to be with the Lord. In the Book of Psalms 18 verse 30, King David declares these words, “As for GOD, His way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. For who is GOD besides the LORD? And who is the ROCK except our GOD?” So, on this day, let’s choose to believe the report of the Lord that in God, there are indeed no mistakes.

In summary, Carl was the beloved husband of Melodie Dawn (nee McEwan). Predeceased by his parents Carl C. Wilson Sr. and Gertrude Jenkins Kilpatridge. Dear brother of Angela Cherise Wilson-Turnbull (Calvert), Charlotta Valree Duport, Millicent Gavin and Elnora Gavin (Thomas). He will be lovingly missed by his devoted God Parents Pastor Ken and Gerry Gavin (Mom & Dad). He will be sadly missed by his best friend Attorney Frank Rivers and Frank`s mother Marcilee. Carl will be fondly remembered by his father-in law, brother and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and God-children in the USA and Canada.

How does one measure success? Success can be measured by faithfulness. On the top of the list of Carl’s legacy is the virtue of faithfulness. Elder Carl Clarence Wilson Jr. Esquire was a faithful, devoted, gifted and Godly man of God. He now rests peacefully with his Eternal Maker, with a Great Cloud of Witnesses fellowshipping with him. Carl, we will always love you.

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Wilson, Rev. Carl Clarence Jr. Esq

(Formerly of Detroit Michigan)

Softly and peacefully at home with his wife by his side on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the age of 53 years. Beloved husband of Melodie Dawn (nee McEwan). Predeceased by his parents Carl C. Wilson Sr. and Gertrude Jenkins Kilpatridge. Dear brother of Angela Cherise Wilson-Turnbull (Calvert), Charlotta Valree Duport, Millicent Gavin and Elnora Gavin (Thomas). He will be lovingly missed by his devoted God Parents Pastor Ken and Gerry Gavin (Mom & Dad). He will be sadly missed by his best friend Attorney Frank Rivers and Frank`s mother Marcilee. Carl will be fondly remembered by his father-in law, brother and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and God children in the USA and Canada. He was committed to his work with his church family and clergy of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) and beyond. Those in his home community of Detroit, Michigan where he served in a legal capacity will always remember his spirited advocacy of justice taken on their behalf. The family will receive friends for visitation at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road, (at Albion Road) on Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 5-9 pm. A Home-Going Celebration will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11 am at Emmanuel Apostolic Church, 3347 McCarthy Road with visitation at the church after 10:15 am. Interment to follow at Hope Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, any monetary gifts in Carl`s memory would be appreciated by his wife Melodie.