Jimmy Wilder, Sr.

Jimmy Wilder, Sr.

1945-2016

Jimmy Lee Wilder Sr. died July 24, 2016. 

He was born March 7, 1945 in Kilgore.  He was the fifth of six children born to John Wilder and Josephine Esther Pearcy Wilder.  His siblings referred to him as “Mama’s favorite” because she had prayed for a baby boy after the stillborn birth of a baby boy in 1943. 

The family moved to Dallas when Jimmy was 3 years old because the oilfields of Kilgore aggravated his asthma.  He attended James W. Fannin Elementary, Alex W. Spence Junior High and North Dallas High School (class of 1963.) 

He worked at A&P Food Store on Skillman for several years and at Kroger Food Store on Mockingbird Lane.  On Oct. 15, 1968, he began his career with the United States Postal Service.  He retired in August 2002 after 34 years as a Special Delivery Messenger.

He met Suzanne White on a blind date Saturday, April 10, 1965, and the rest is history.  The date was arranged by Lupe Hernandez and Richard Contreras. Jimmy and Suzanne were united in marriage June 9, 1967, at St. James Catholic Church in Oak Cliff. 

He was a son, brother, husband, father of four sons and grandfather of nine. 

As a family, they were very involved in Cub and Boy Scouting.  He was Cub Master of Pack 743 at George W. Truett Elementary for several years.  He was an Assistant Scout Master of Troop 740 and Troop 537.  After joining Troop 60, he was Scoutmaster for several years.  During his years in Scouting, he was a mentor to many young men. 

A highlight for him was when one of them would become an Eagle Scout.  He was very proud that each of our four sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  He led two treks to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmarron, N.M., during the mid-1980s.

He became of member of the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday in 1996 at St. Therese Catholic Church in Canton.  He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 11978 at St. Therese Catholic Church and he served as the Grand Knight for five years. 

In 1998, he became a Fourth Degree Knight and was a charter member of Assembly 2570 in Athens.  He served as the Faithful Pilot for several years.

In May 1992, he purchased a home and 30-plus acres in Canton and moved there Aug. 10, 1994.  He enjoyed hosting several Fourth of July parties there with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wilder and Josephine Esther Pearcy Wilder, and brothers Donnie Wilder and John Ray Wilder.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Suzanne Elaine White Wilder; sons and their wives and children: Jimmy Lee Wilder Jr., Cordelia and their children: Taylor Rodriguez, Hayden Luke Wilder, Quinten Louis Wilder and Brianna Martina Wilder; Anthony Edward Wilder, Sarah and their children: Caroline Grace Wilder, Elijah Andrew Wilder, Gideon James Wilder and Titus Levi Wilder; Jonathan Eugene Wilder; Nathan Andrew Wilder, Porshia and their daughter Brooklynn Rene’e Wilder; Jerry Hoover and Monica White Hoover and their daughter Emmary Hoover; brother, Bobby Wilder and his wife, Annette; sisters, Wanda Joyce Wilder Melton, Norma Jean Wilder Shelton and her husband Wes Shelton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held Aug. 3.  The Rosary was held at Eubank Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at St. Luke Catholic in Wills Point.

Interment will be at Haven of Memories in Canton.

Pallbearers are Jimmy Lee Wilder Jr., Anthony Edward Wilder, Jonathan Eugene Wilder, Nathan Andrew Wilder, Taylor Rodriguez, Hayden Luke Wilder, Quinten Louis Wilder and Jerry Hoover. 

Honorary Pallbearers are Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Assembly 2570.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.