JOHN S. WILSON

1937 - 2016

WILSON JOHN S. WILSON Was a remarkably charismatic man and a master of humor and story telling, especially when sharing an anecdote from his life. On Sunday, February 7, 2016, after a courageous battle with pneumonia, he passed peacefully, with his sister, his daughters, and their families at his bedside. John was born in Joplin, Missouri on January 18, 1937, the son of Charles and Kathleen (McGarry) Wilson. A vigorous man who embraced life fully, he was admitted to the Military Academy at West Point on July 5, 1955. One of his favorite memories occurred in his senior year, when running late for class, he rounded the corner of his barracks, and nearly ran into Dwight D. Eisenhower! He stopped, saluted, and then resumed running. He graduated in June of 1959, after a football season in which the Army team was undefeated for the last time. The class of '59 served during the political and military tensions of the Cold War. John served in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps after completing Ranger and Airborne Schools. On October 22, 1962, the same day that President Kennedy announced the Cuban Missile Crises, John's daughter Jennifer was born. After earning a Master's in Mathematics from Stevens Institute of Technology John was assigned to the 529th Ordnance Company in Massweiler, Germany. The company worked in caves that were built by the Germans before WWII. They maintained and stored special weapons, a critical thing during the years of 1963 - 1966. They experienced alerts every month, and kept C-Rations in the trunks of their cars in case their families had to evacuate for war. After 28 years of service which included award of the Bronze Star Medal during a tour in Vietnam, and the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, John retired from the Military in 1987. Before retiring from the U.S. Army one of his last commands was the Chief of Staff at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ and his final command was at Seneca Army Depot outside Geneva, NY. He transitioned smoothly to a career in commercial real property management in the Washington DC metropolitan area. His properties included Washington Harbour on K Street in Georgetown, and later the 11 acre Department of Transportation campus in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. John's infectious humor and fair, but firm sense of discipline drew loyalty and admirations for colleagues and subordinates throughout his military and civilian careers. He was a man of outstanding dedication, and an impeccable work ethic. He was great friend to those who were privileged to serve with him and a dedicated mentor to those who served under him. He was a devoted husband to his loving and devoted wife of 32 years, Sharyn C. Wilson, who survives him, and is dearly loved by his sister, Wendy Dooly (Billy) of Fort Smith Arkansas; his three daughters, Laura Hartnett of Round Lake, New York, Jennifer Wilson of Warrenton, Virginia and Kathryn Allstaedt (William) of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; his four grandchildren, John Schoffstall (Amanda), Amanda Milliner (Jonathan), Timothy Hartnett and Elizabeth Allstaedt; and his great-granddaughter, Elise Schoffstall, and surely he will be fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched. And when our work is done, Our course on earth is run, May it be said, "Well done. Be thou at peace." A funeral Mass service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016 at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer Army Base. John will be laid to rest following the service at Arlington National Cemetery, with Full Military Honors. A reception will follow the interment services at the Women in Service Memorial at 12:30 p.m. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers at INOVA Alexandria, Virginia, and Bridgepoint Hospital, Washington, DC, for their dedication, kindness, and gentle support during John's illness, and in his passing. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the West Point Association of Graduates class of 1959. Class Giving phone number: (845) 446-1656. www.murphyfuneralhomes.com