Jerry L Wilson

1944 - 2022

Jerry L. Wilson, 78, of Amarillo, TX joined his heavenly father and ancestors on December 21, 2022. Private family services were held at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home on December 28, 2022. Burial was at Highland Park Cemetery in Borger, TX. Jerry was born on November 16, 1944, in Phillips, Texas, to Nadine and Vernon Wilson. He attended Bunavista Baptist Church and Bunavista Elementary School in Borger, Texas. Jerry was an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. A born athlete, Jerry began playing golf at the age of 8 and caddied for most of the people in Borger, Texas. He excelled in sports playing Little League, Golden Gloves boxing and football for the Borger Bulldogs. He was given a full football scholarship to Southern Methodist University and played on the winning Southwest conference team in 1966. He was lovingly known by his football buddies as "Mighty." Even though Jerry was scouted by many professional teams, he chose to become a businessman and father. He lived for his children and grandchildren. He was known among his family and numerous friends as a generous man and the life of the party as a jokester. He also used humor to become a successful salesman. In the 1970s, Jerry sold insurance and managed an Elvis impersonation band. In the 1980s and 1990s, he owned a professional lighting company and retired just before the internet took off. He raised his children in DeSoto, Texas. In his retirement, Jerry enjoyed golfing, watching sports and movies, spending time with his children and grandchildren, listening to Golden Oldies/Motown/Elvis and talking on the phone with his relatives and friends all over Texas. He believed in good quality shoes and owned many cowboy boots of various skins. Always a fighter, he fought valiantly to the end after a massive heart attack and stroke this Winter. His legacy of humor/wit, charisma, loyalty, generosity, athleticism/strength, love of music and fierce love in general will live on in his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon L. Wilson in 1967; and his mother, Nadine Sullivan in 1997; his loving grandparents, C. I. Poe in 1980 and Naomi Ruth Poe in 1987; his sister, Verna Ruth in 2004; and his uncle and aunt, John and Betty Monigold. He is survived by his son, Douglas J. Wilson and spouse Christine, of Carrollton, TX; daughter, Lisa R. Wilson McCaul and spouse Dave, of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Dalton Wilson, Alexis Thomas, Tavin I. McCaul, and Naomi R. McCaul; Christine's children, Brianna Reed, Hunter Hayes, and Kenneth L. Hayes; great-grandchild, Rowan Thomas; his sister, Janine Park and spouse Bob, of Amarillo, TX; nephew, Chad W. Simpson and spouse Snapp; his niece, Lezli J. Thompson and spouse Tracy; great-nieces, Ryleigh and spouse Layne, and Emileigh Thompson.