Jack Leroy Wilson

1938 - 2023

Jack Leroy Wilson

Jack Leroy Wilson passed away on March 2nd, 2023, after a brief illness. Jack was born in Toledo, Ohio, on July 7th, 1938, as the only child to Betty J. (McDonald) Wilson and Elmer E. Wilson of Maumee, Ohio. He was introduced to the world of automobiles at a young age as his dad was a driver and would take Jack with him as he traveled to midget races across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania in the late 1940's. From 1949 to 1952, his dad would shift gears from racing midget race cars to stock cars in the early days of NASCAR where Jack would work the pits. They competed at the first Southern 500 at Darlington Motor Speedway in 1950 and Daytona International Speedway when it was still raced on the beach. Jack's passion for cars, racing, and wrenching on just about anything with an engine would follow him throughout his life. He attended Maumee schools and graduated in 1956. During his high school years, he would discover another great passion, football. In 1955, his junior year, he had a serious injury and was told he wouldn't walk again. Amazingly, about a week later, he regained his feeling and was able to walk but the doctors refused to let him play his senior year. Upon graduation in 1956, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corp. During the next 3 years, while serving his country, he would reignite his career and play on a traveling football team for the Marines, here and abroad. After discharge from the Marine Corp, he would start his career at Columbia Gas and played football for Bill Harts T-Birds. Shortly thereafter, he began his semi-pro football career with The Toledo Tornadoes as an offensive and defensive lineman. The Tornadoes played their home games at Waite High School stadium, but their presence was short-lived lasting from 1961-1964. In 1964 when the franchise dissolved, he was traded to The Ironmen of Wheeling West Virginia but, instead of moving, decided to hang up his shoulder pads and helmet permanently to start his family with the love of his life, Pat. The two met in In May of 1960 while both were working at Columbia Gas. Jack, while leaving work, drove past Patricia Miller (soon to be Wilson) and when their eyes met it was love at first sight. In 1962 they became Mr. & Mrs. Jack Wilson and in July of 1966, they had the first of their 4 children, a baby girl named Patti. Then, 4 years later in September of 1970, a second child, another baby girl named Kris was born. While pregnant with Kris they purchased what would be "Heaven on Earth" the cabin on Whiskey Lake in Ontario, Canada. Over the next few years, he would stay busy continuing his passion for cars, buying insurance totals, and rebuilding them to keep them in in newer vehicles and make some extra money fixing and selling the ones he didn't want. During the winter, he and Pat would operate a snow plowing business where he had 4 plow trucks and Pat would perform all the secretarial work. He would plow snow all night and work at the Gas Company during the day. In April of 1975 they would have their third child, a baby boy named Jack. During the next five years he continued doing what he loved, working on cars, plowing snow, taking family vacations to the cabin in Canada, and being the best husband and father he could be. In December of 1980 they would have their fourth and final child, another baby girl named Megan. In 1994, Jack retired from Columbia Gas after 34 years. Retirement life was great for Jack, he got to do exactly what he wanted which mainly consisted of doing things for his kids. Whether it was bringing you gas if you ran out, picking up a wrecked snowmobile 300 miles away, or just bringing grapes or chicken over, he was always there. He was constantly looking for a deal, on the weekends you could always find him at an auction, flea market, or swap meet. Jack was an avid outdoorsman and loved going to the cabin in Canada where he enjoyed many great fishing trips with his friends and made a lifetime of memories on summer family vacations spent with their Canadian friends who are considered family. He enjoyed many snowmobile trips to Michigan and Canada with his son & sons-in-law (the guys). Jack loved working with his hands, a passion that had been in the Wilson family for generations. He was proud to be able to pass this along to his kids and continue that legacy. He was proud of his accomplishments but prouder of his kids and grandchildren's accomplishments. Jack did everything with drive and the desire to be the best right to the end. He definitely was the best Husband, Father, and Poppie anyone could ever ask for. We would like to give a special thank you to the ICU department at St. Annes, the doctors and the nurses were so kind. We couldn't ask for a better place to go through something so emotional.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia Wilson; children, Patti (James) Roloff, Kristine (Troy) Walborn; Jack (Tonya) Wilson, Megan (Steven) Devich; grandchildren, Bailee, Kylie, Gabby, Olivia, Troy, Hailey, Lilliana, Keith, Jack, Stella, Margot, Collette; lifelong friends, Brett Montague, Bill Grinonneau; Canadian family, Dennis and Diana Carney and family; and his little companion, Lucy (miniature Schnauzer). He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer E. and Betty J. Wilson; son-in-law, Keith A. Morse; lifelong friends, Mick Halbert, Ed Reiter.

Guests are welcome to a visitation on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 2-8 p.m. at the Holland-Springfield-Walker Funeral Home, 7438 Airport Hwy, Holland. His funeral service will take place on Wednesday, March 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow. Memorial contributions may be made out to St. Anne's Hospital â€" ICU, in Jack's memory.

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