James Hermal "Jim" Wilson Sr.

James Hermal “Jim” Wilson Sr., age 91, of Osawatomie, Kansas, died Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Vintage Park at Osawatomie.

Jim was born October 10, 1920 in Pittsburg, Kansas to James Milton and Lydia Elizabeth (Hemming) Wilson. He was the fifth of eight children. Jim attended the Labette County Community High School before entering the United States Army on September 21, 1942 and was discharged January 31, 1946.

He went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad thirteen days after being discharged from the Army. He worked for 29 years in the Railway Union as a Steamship Clerk in Osawatomie, Ks. He owned and ran a service station in Parker, Ks. He also worked for the Prairie View School District as a custodian till he retired in 1985.

Jim was married on October 7, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri to Elsie Leona Loch. After the war they made their home in Beagle and Osawatomie area. In 1952 they moved to Parker and then in 1999 moved to Garnett, Ks, before returning to Osawatomie in 2010. They became the parents of four children.

Jim was a member the United Methodist Church of Parker, the Parker Historical Society, Lions Club and American Legion for many years. He was a former member of Odd Fellows of Beagle. His hobbies were mowing the yard and he took great pride in having a yard that looked like a park and hunting with the gang from Ness City for over 40 years. He drove school buses at Parker and was mayor of Parker for several years and served as a council member for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Marsha Gae Wilson; two brothers, Glenn E. Wilson and Darrell L. Wilson; two sisters, Violet Garrigan and infant Gladys Wilson.

He is survived by his wife of the home; one son, James H. (Linda) Wilson Jr. of Grove, Oklahoma; two daughters, Carolyn Lee (Charles C.) Dunlop of Parker, Ks; Rita Anne Wilson of Osawatomie, Ks; one brother, Paul A. Wilson of Oswego, Ks; two sisters, Sylvia Davidson of Choctaw, Ok and Lydia Taylor of Fairfax, Va.

Funeral Services will be held 1:30pm, Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Parker United Methodist Church, Parker, Ks. Burial in Parker Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8pm, Tuesday, May 8, at the Funeral Home. Instate after 3:30pm, Tuesday, May 8.

Memorials are to Tri Ko or Vintage Park at Osawatomie: may be sent in care of the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, Ks. 66064 Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home (913) 755-2114 www.eddybirchard.com