Jack W. Wilson, Jr.
March 24, 2018
Date of Service: March 28, 2018
Interment Location: Garden of Prayer
Jack Walter Wilson, Jr., age 88, Elizabethton, passed away peacefully at Lifecare Center of Elizabethton on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 10:45 pm. Jack was a long time resident of the Hunter community. He became a resident at Lifecare in 2016. He was born September 2, 1929, the son of the late Jack Wilson, Sr. and Joda Johnson Wilson.
Jack was a follower of Jesus Christ, and a member of Hunter First Baptist Church for almost 50 years. He served there at various times as a deacon, church treasurer, usher and choir member.
The love of Jack’s life was his wife Juanita. They had a happy marriage of over 61 years, raising two sons, Michael and Danny. They first lived in the East Side community, then moved to Hunter where they lived since 1965. Juanita’s extraordinary dedication and love for Jack was evident as she spent almost every day of Jack’s last couple of years by his side at Lifecare.
Jack spent his youth in the Shell Creek community, where he was known as “Junior”. He attended Shell Creek Elementary and Cloudland High School. There he was editor of the yearbook and he excelled in sports as the captain of the football, baseball and basketball teams. His love of sports continued as he went on to coach Pee Wee and Little League baseball teams. He was a lifelong fan of the Tennessee Volunteers.
Jack was a dedicated worker and provider for his family. He owned and operated Wilson Auto Sales, with his brother Doyle, for 24 years. He was also a supervisor at both the Bemberg powerhouse and the North American Rayon Corporation filter plant.
He was a talented artist and had a love of drawing and painting throughout his life. He especially liked depicting scenes and buildings from his childhood and produced many beautiful paintings. He was commissioned to paint an outdoor mural for North American Rayon Corporation in 1992.
He was also an avid gardener and spent many enjoyable hours in his vegetable garden where he raised impressive and delicious tomatoes. He also enjoyed growing green beans, squash, okra, and onions.
Jack was preceded in death by his brother Doyle, and wife Janet; brother Verl, and wife Meria; sister Celeste; and special sister-in-law, and wildflower hunting partner, Cindy.
He is survived by his wife Juanita Tester Wilson; two sons, Michael, of Elizabethton, and Danny, and wife Jennifer, of Knoxville. One granddaughter and three grandsons: Leah Williams, and husband Stuart of Kingston; Lukas, Wyeth and Eli, all of Knoxville. One great granddaughter Ella, to be born in May.
Also survived by one brother, Powell, of Elizabethton; four special nieces Marie Adevoso; Kathy Barrera and husband Anaya; Karen Davis, and husband Danny; and Tanya Johnson. Additionally, he has one surviving aunt, Reba Johnson and special cousin Janet Johnson.
Jack was blessed to have wonderful brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Chalmas and Charlene Laws (deceased); Herman and Nancy Tester; Bob and Carolyn Wagner; Pat Icenhour; and Steve Tester.
He was thankful for his traveling and memory-making friends Charles and Shirley Hooper; his long time neighbor and gardening buddy, Buford Cole, and wife Cleadith; and Shell Creek friends Lloyd Wiseman, and wife Beulah, Lawson Kerley, Ed and Onie Buck, and Mozella Buck.
Jack’s family express very special appreciation to Angie and the entire staff of Lifecare Center for their compassionate and dedicated care. Special thanks to the North Hall staff, to Amanda and to his “good night, sweet dreams” and “best friend” Lauren.
Funeral services are scheduled on Wednesday, March 28th, 2018, at 1:30 PM in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with the receiving of friends beginning at 12:00 – 1:30 PM. Pastor Bryan Smith and Rev. Sherrel Nave will conduct the funeral service at Tetrick Funeral Home.
The graveside service and interment will follow the funeral service on Wednesday at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Steve Nauman officiating. Active pallbearers will be Stuart Williams, Danny Davis, Alec Johnson, Roland Tester, Bucky Peters, Mick Marshall, Billy Icenhour and Sam Icenhour. Honorary Pallbearers will be Buford Cole, Lowell Garrison, Frank Childers, Ken Barrickman, Eddie McGee, Jerry Calhoun, Lawrence Hodge, Terry Buckles, Kenneth Miller and Jim Ferguson.
Jack loved to read the Bible, so memorial donations in lieu of flowers are requested to the Gideons, 609 E. Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or at www2.gideons.org. Thank you.
Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Wilson and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, office 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917.
