John Wilson Sr.

SIKESTON - John Lewis Wilson Sr., 86, died at 9:30 a.m. May 7, 2004, at his residence.

Born Sept. 15, 1917, in Sikeston, son of the late Randol and Kathryn Tanner Wilson, he was a farm manager, farmer and land broker, managing the Tanner Farms for 70-plus years. A member of Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 AF&AM, he was a 32nd degree Mason, a shriner, member of the Moolah Temple in St. Louis and was an original member of the Semo Shrine Mounted Patrol. He helped start the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in 1952 and was also a member of the First United Methodist Church. Wilson was past president of the Lions Club, a committee chairman of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the National Fertilizer Association and an Eagle Scout and Scout leader. He attended the University of Missouri and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Following the war, he was a teacher for veterans.

He married Hazelle Young on Jan. 30, 1938, in Sikeston and she survives of the home.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John L. and Jan Wilson Jr. of Sikeston and one daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn Penney and Richard Limbach of Birmingham, Ala.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Matthew and Jennifer King of Jasper, Ala., and Linda and Allen Douglas, Julie and Miles Reece and John L. "Trey" Wilson III, all of Sikeston; one grandson-in-law, Rick Williams of Sikeston; and five great-grandchildren, Coleman Williams, Mamie Williams, Brandy Douglas and Allen Michael Douglas, all of Sikeston and Jesse King of Jasper.

One sister, Nan Kirby and one granddaughter, Michelle Wilson Williams, preceded him in death.

Visitation is from noon Monday until time for a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Bill Koch, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Private interment of his cremains will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions

may be sent to the

First United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 682

Sikeston, MO 63801

Paid obituary