Notizen zu dieser Person
https://www.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/john-wilson.2568 John Frederick Wilson was a man dedicated to his family and his faith. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family. The year 1941 is most often remembered for the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. President Franklin Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech, and as the United States geared up for war. On a lighter side, moviegoers were laughing at the antics of Abbott and Costello in “Buck Privates.” J. Fred began his life in Jersey City, New Jersey on November 4, 1941, as the oldest of three boys born to John A. and Ruth (Amos) Wilson. J. Fred’s parents were both originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and while J. Fred was still an infant, they moved back to the Cleveland Heights area so his father, who was an engineer by trade, could find work in the defense industry. In 1952, the Wilson family once again relocated to Berea, Ohio. J. Fred’s childhood took place mostly within the comforts of the idyllic 1950s and was pretty normal in most aspects. He loved to go outdoors as a child; summers were spent on adventurous exploits with the neighborhood kids and playing a good game of baseball. The Wilson’s lived in a three-bedroom home that boasted of a big front porch, which was enjoyed by much of the family that usually lived nearby. J. Fred and his brother David later shared a bedroom on the third story of their home, which they thought of as their special little hide away. J. Fred’s brother, David, had a paper route as a young boy and recalled that J. Fred would often borrow money for one thing or another. On one such occasion, David loaned J. Fred thirty dollars to buy cherry bombs, M80s and firecrackers to resell for a profit. Much to his dismay, their mother found out and proceeded to throw all the fireworks in the basement sink, which was full of water. It was obvious from a young age that J. Fred was a bright boy. School seemed to come easy to him and with minimal studying he could ace the exams. J. Fred enjoyed singing and enhanced his bass tone with some voice lessons. These musical talents were put to good use in the high school chorus, the church choir and for family weddings. This wasn’t his only musical talent; he was also an excellent tuba player for the high school marching band. After moving to Oakwood Ohio, J. Fred thought his tuba playing days were over. The band director at his new school was thrilled at this discovery and immediately bought a new tuba so J. Fred could play in their band. At thirteen, J. Fred was already 6’1.” He didn’t look at his height as a handicap; instead he used it to his advantage getting a job at an auto repair garage. This job initiated his passion for cars and by sixteen he had bought his first hot rod. J. Fred joined the co-op program at General Motors Institute, now called Kettering University, in Flint, Michigan, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. While there, he also joined a fraternity and would often, much to his mother’s dismay, bring home their fraternity mascot - a very hefty St. Bernard. The government had special deferments in place that enabled men who were married and had a child to avoid entering the military service, J. Fred fell into this category. J. Fred married Eleanor Morgan on February 16, 1963, at the Dayton 1st Baptist Church. Their family was blessed with four children, two daughters, Melinda and Rachel, and two sons, Paul and Jack. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in 1988. In 1963, J. Fred began working for General Motors. After ten years, J. Fred decided to change his vocation and became employed at The Way Ministry in New Knoxville, Ohio. He worked in various different capacities from the Director of Personnel, Editor of books published by the Ministry to the Director of Finance. In 1986, J. Fred left the Ministry to begin his career as a computer salesman. Due to the decline in his health, he retired from the sales business in 2002. Throughout his sixteen years in sales, J. Fred won many awards honoring his success as a salesman of one that included a special trip to the Indianapolis 500. After a one-year mission trip in Glendale, Arizona, with Word Over the World Ministries, J. Fred met a wonderful woman named Marilyn DeYoung, who was just finishing her one-year commitment with the mission. They quickly became friends. Marilyn was a great comfort and support to J. Fred while coping with his divorce in 1988. It was obvious from the moment they met that they had a connection that some people only dream about. J. Fred planned, in only two weeks time, a romantic wedding aboard a dinner cruise on Lake Tahoe. On a magical May 10, 1992, J. Fred and Marilyn became husband and wife. J. Fred adamantly professed this as the greatest day of his life. The one thing that upheld J. Fred throughout his life was his faith. He was a member of the West Michigan Ministries, a Christian fellowship home based ministry. He loved the reverence and spirit of old time Christian music; some of his favorites included the Statler Brothers, Blackwood Brothers and The Goodmans. It also brought him great comfort to read the Bible. J. Fred loved to marvel at God’s creation particularly Michigan’s beautiful trees during the summer months when they were full of leaves and bearing fruit. He also had a soft spot for his three cats, Tigger, Annie and Sophie and a dog named Tinker. J. Fred wasn’t a man of complex and pretentious tastes. He was perfectly satisfied with peanut butter, cottage and cheddar cheeses and carrot cake. J. Fred’s love for fast cars continued throughout his life. He was happy watching any drag racing, NASCAR races, World of Outlaw Wing Sprint Racing and the Indy 500, which on several occasions he watched trackside. John “J. Fred” Frederick Wilson died on Friday, February 20, 2004, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Wilson, of Gravel Lake; two daughters: Melinda (John) Meyer of New Knoxville, OH and Rachel (David) Kleister of Pittsburgh, PA; two sons: Paul (Raechel) Wilson of Olympia, WA and Jack Jr. (Patrice) Wilson, of Denver, CO; two stepdaughters: Kathleen Kelly of Kalamazoo and Laura (Mike) Donahue of Paw Paw; two stepsons: Jim (Julie) DeYoung of Paw Paw and Robert (Lolita) DeYoung of Kalamazoo; two brothers: David (Karla) Wilson of St. Louis, MO and Jim (Susan) Wilson of Troy, OH; twelve grandchildren, ten step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. Friends will be received on Tuesday, February 24, from 2-4 p.m.& 6-8 p.m. at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, M-40 South of I-94, Paw Paw, Michigan. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, February 25, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Leonard Yonkman of West Michigan Ministries officiating. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery. Please visit J. Fred’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, share a memory, order flowers online or make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society. Throughout his life, J. Fred maintained an essence of commitment to family, faith and the joy of life itself. His deeds and actions were an inspiration to those that knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.
Robert \\\\
Crowe
