Ted D. Wilkinson

Ted D. Wilkinson, 80, of Victoria, passed away at his residence February 11, 2011, surrounded by his family. Ted was born September 28, 1930, in Crosbyton, to the late Thurman Theodore “Ted” Wilkinson and Gladys Hitt Wilkinson McCurley. He was a 1948 graduate of Beaumont High School and attended Lamar University. Ted was a Master Mason and a member of the Beaumont Tolerance Lodge No. 1165 AM & FM and a 50 year mason.

Ted was in the automobile business for more than fifty years. During that time he worked as a salesman, Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, and Owner. Prior to his move to Victoria, Texas in 1985, he was the owner of the Pontiac-Buick-GMC Truck-Subaru dealership in Bryan, Texas. He operated that company for nearly ten years.

Mr. Wilkinson purchased the Victoria Nissan franchise in June of 1985. In 1987, the Toyota dealership was acquired. In 1988, he was able to add the GMC Truck and Daihatsu franchises to the Nissan location.

In November of 1993, Mr. Wilkinson purchased the Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership. The Toyota franchise was sold in August of 1994. However, in April of 1996, Mr. Wilkinson again expanded his operations by acquiring the Pontiac, Buick, Jeep, Eagle and Mazda franchises. 1997 was a busy year. The GMC Truck franchise was moved to the Pontiac-Buick location, and the Jeep-Eagle franchise was merged with Nissan. Later, the Mazda franchise was sold, and near the end of 1997, Mr. Wilkinson sold the Nissan-Jeep-Eagle dealership. In May of 2001, the Chevrolet franchise in Refugio, Texas was purchased. In November, 2002 the Cadillac franchise was sold and General Motors phased out the Oldsmobile franchise. In December, 2003 the Chevrolet franchise was sold.

In October 2006, the Pontiac Buick GMC franchises were sold and Ted retired for a while.

In 2010 Ted opened his final dealership, Wilkinson Pre-Owned SuperCenter on North Navarro, leaving his family to carry on his legacy.

Ted is survived by his wife of 24 years Lisa Karen Burger Wilkinson of Victoria; his former wife Josephine (Josie) Olive Engelke Wilkinson of Seguin; his children, Ted Donald Wilkinson, Jr. of Temple, Marjorie Lea Wilkinson Moses of Houston, Susan Bennett Wilkinson Duke of Chattanoga, Tennessee, Patricia Wilkinson Lynn of Rockport, Stuart Alan Wilkinson of Victoria and Nancy Lynn Wilkinson of Victoria; sister Karen McCurley Clark Patterson and husband James D. “Pat” Patterson of Victoria; grandchildren, Brian Melancon, Melanie Melancon Krueger, Elliott Grimes, Zachary and Meagan Wilkinson, Robert (Bobby) Wilkinson, Coleby Kopplin, Conner Ashton Kopplin, B.J. (Bobby) Trojacek and David Trojacek; great-grandchildren Callie Gholston, Aurora Dwyer, Jason Trojacek, Kaylee Trojacek and Kyndelynn Wilkinson; nephews and nieces James E. Clark III, Ashley Karen Clark, Keith Patterson, Scott Patterson, Lisa Obeji, Michael Bruton and Jonathan Bruton and many grand nieces and grand nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his step-father T.H. McCurley; a daughter Donna Renee Kopplin.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Saturday February 12, 2011, at the Rosewood

Funeral Chapels. Services will be held at 2 PM Sunday February 13, 2011, from the Rosewood Funeral Chapels with the Rev. Ben Sherran officiating.

Graveside services will follow at 10 AM Monday February 14, 2011 at Memory Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Ben Sherran officiating.

Pallbearers will be Grinetta Evans, Bobby Wilkinson, Zachary Wilkinson, David Trojacek, Randy Guajardo and Gerald Merks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter, 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77030, the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or Hospice of South Texas, 605 Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, 361/573-4546.