Joseph C. Wilkinson Sr.

WILKINSON Joseph C. Wilkinson, Sr., 74, died peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2008. He was the husband of Ann Guinta Wilkinson, to whom he was faithfully married for almost 54 years, and the caring and dedicated father of seven devoted children, Jay, Terri, Tom, Steve, Judy, Lynn and Matt. He is also survived by two sons-in-law, Todd and Richard; three daughters-in-law, Sue, Antoinette and LauraBeth; 13 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one-grand son-in-law; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, on January 22, 1934, the son of the late George Matthews Wilkinson, Sr. and Ethel Aucoin Wilkinson. He was the third of seven children and was called "J.C." by his parents and brothers and sisters, including George M. Wilkinson, Jr. (deceased), William E. Wilkinson, Sr., Shirley W. Nungesser, Carol W. Evans (deceased), James A. Wilkinson and Donald A. Wilkinson. He lived his childhood years with his family on an Iberville Parish sugar cane plantation known as "the Island". The family moved to New Orleans when he was a young teen. He was a proud 1953 graduate of Redemptorist High School, where he played basketball and starred on the Redemptorist Rams baseball team. He was the baseball team's starting catcher for three years, was named the Most Valuable Player in baseball in 1952, and was selected as a member of The Times Picayune "All Prep" baseball team of 1953, when he hit .386, third highest batting average among New Orleans high school players. He served in the United States Army from 1953-55 and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal, having earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After his marriage and Army discharge, he attended Delgado Community College. He was among the first of New Orleans residents to move his young and growing family in 1960 to Terrytown, Louisiana, where he and his wife reared their children and lived for 47 years. He was among the founding benefactors of Christ the King Catholic Church in Terrytown, and was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He worked his entire professional career as a skilled draftsman for various oil companies and engineering firms based in the New Orleans area, including Amoco, Shell, Burk & Associates, Boeing, Ingram, and Petro-Marine, ultimately becoming a specialist in the process systems of offshore production platforms. He spent the last 15 years of his professional career as an Associate and Chief Draftsman for W.H. Linder & Associates of Metairie, LA, where he enjoyed his greatest professional success and associations and ultimately entered into retirement. He was an avid golfer and aficionado of backyard landscaping and grilling, among other interests, which included home renovation and a special skill for drawing, sketching and painting. He was the quintessential family man, absolutely devoted to the success and happiness of his large and extended family, and took special pride in the educational, professional and family life accomplishments of his wife, seven children and grandchildren. He was a pillar upon whom all who knew him depended for guidance, support and encouragement. He will be greatly missed. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Visitation to start at 11:00 AM. The burial service will be in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to West Jefferson Medical Center, 1101 Medical Center Blvd., Marrero, LA. 70072, would be appreciated. To view and sign family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.