James Wilkins

Family-Placed Death Notice

Capt. James Climent Wilkins, Jr., 82, a retired Naval aviator, died of cancer Memorial Day, May 29, 2006 at McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 07, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Captain Wilkins graduated from Columbia High School, Columbia, LA, class of 1940. He attended Northeast Jr. College, Monroe, LA until volunteering for the Navy in December 1941, the week after Pearl Harbor. He wanted to become a Naval aviator and was accepted in the training program, receiving his Navy wings and was commissioned Ensign in regular Navy. He flew fighter planes during World War II. After the war he attended the University of Mississippi, in Oxford. During the Korean War he flew helicopters in combat air/sea rescue and naval gun fire support missions over enemy territory. He served as a senior watch Commander for Chief of Naval Operations and the National Command Military Center, Joint Staff, during the Viet Nam War. He retired in June 1975. His Significant Duty Stations included: Joint Staff CNO Staff, CO, HS-3, XO, USS Guadalcanal LPH-7, USS Intrepid CVA-11, OIC, HU-1. Significant Awards include Legion of Merit, Air Medal (w/1 star)/ PUC/ Korean PUC/ American Theatre/ World War II Victory/ Korean Theatre (w/2 stars)/ United Nations/ National Defense/ Good Conduct/ JCS ID Badge/ Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal/ Meritorious Service Medal. Captain Wilkins lived in McLean, VA until three years ago when he moved to Midlothian, VA to be near his daughter. He was born August 10, 1923 in Columbia, LA. He was preceded in death by his father, James C. Wilkins, Sr., mother, Hester Bibb Wilkins Yarborough and sister, Gloria Wilkins Witteman. He is survived by six children, Priscilla Evans, Baltimore, MD, Lauren Hoffman, Alpharetta, GA, James C. Wilkins, III and wife, Betty Ann, Annandale, VA, Susan Gunnell, Silver Spring, MD, Pamela Messner and husband, Clint, Midlothian, VA, Frank Wilkins and wife, Tonie, Virginia Beach, VA and four grandchildren, John D. Evans, Jr., Lindsey Hoffman, Brian Barzoloski and Brad Barzoloski. Captain Wilkins is also survived by brothers, John T. Wilkins, Athens, GA, J.D. Yarborough, Jr., Centerville, TN, sisters, Mary Wilkins French, Monroe, LA and Janie Wilkins, Fernandina Beach, FL, and former wife, Stiles Artz Wilkins, Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. He is greatly missed by family and friends.