John Thomas Wilson Sr.

John Thomas Wilson, Sr., 81, of Riverdale, passed away on December 3, 2021.
Raised in Oxford, Ohio, John was the son of the late Ladd and Marion Wilson. He married Bonnie Stasse in 1963 and the couple would settle in Riverdale to raise three sons. He touched many young lives coaching for PLRLL, and well after the Little League years had ended, it was not uncommon for former players to look to him as their mentor. He was affectionately known to many as "Mr. Wilson" and he could be found wearing his infamous green hat all around town. He had an incredible sense of humor and a generous heart. He found joy in sharing his "famous" zucchini bread and holiday pies with friends and family but would never give away the recipe. John was a car enthusiast and shared his love of drag racing with his son, Michael. Together, they would take annual trips to Indianapolis to watch his favorite sport.
John had many jobs throughout his life but one thing that remained constant was his steadfast dedication to his work and his family. In his early years, John worked as a ranch hand in Wyoming and in doing so acquired a love for horses that would last a lifetime. He was one of the original employees of the Riverdale Home Depot.
He is survived by his sons, John Thomas Wilson, Jr. and his wife Beth, Edward Ladd Wilson and his wife Patricia, and Michael S. Wilson; and his grandchildren, Lauren and Megan. He was predeceased by his wife Bonnie and his sister Cathy Anzaldo.
Memorial visitation will be held from 12:30-3:30 pm on Saturday, December 11 at the M. John Scanlan Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 3 pm during the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory can be made to American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.