James A Wilson

James Arthur Wilson, 92, of Topeka, passed away surrounded by his family Friday, February 7, 2025.

He was born March 15, 1932, in Cedaredge, Colorado, the son of Harold and Ruth (Blankenship) Wilson. He graduated High School in Crawford, Colorado in 1950, and moved to Hartford, KS to work for his uncle Herbert “Bud” Bollinger, but soon was drafted into United States Army. He served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to Hartford. 

He married Jean Ann Gilligan on May 27, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hartford. From this union they welcomed two sons, Mike and Todd. They later divorced. He married Floradean Devlin, they later divorced, and he would later reunite with his first wife Jean until her passing in 2018. 

Survivors include son, Todd Wilson, step-children, Sheila & Todd Devlin; grandsons, Mike (Kira) & Tyler (Ashley) Wilson; great grandchildren, Holly, Dominic, Brynlee & Kemper; step-great grandchildren, Kolden & Jaxon; sister-in-law, Sarah Mounkes; brothers-in-law, Jim Gilligan & Richard Keller; nephew, Sean Gilligan (Shea); great nephew, Neco Gilligan; cousins, Cheryl Herrick, Donna Kuhn and Wayne Lambert, and a very special friend, Chuck Roberts, whom he loved like another son. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Jean; son, Mike Wilson; grandchild, Kyle Wilson; brothers, Francis, John and Dale; brothers-in-law, Jerry Gilligan and Gary Mounkes and cousins, Don and Howard Lambert. 

Jim was a hard worker with many skills. He was always available to help a neighbor if there was work to be done. He was employed by Skelly Oil & Gas, Kansas Soya (Bunge) Grain Elevator, for many years, then Armour Meat plant, and Iowa Beef, all in Emporia. He then became Plant Engineer moving to National Beef, Liberal KS, an eventually to Ohse Meats in Topeka. After which he started his own construction/concrete business, the JSC Company for 20+years.

His main hobby was flying. He owned 4 airplanes in his lifetime and donated his 1948 Vagabond to Topeka Aerial Boy Scout Organization. He enjoyed flying, comradery with his friends at the Billard Airport and his special neighbors, Sandy Lazano and Amy Freeman.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., February 26, 2025, at Dove Cremations & Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. A private interment will take place at a later date at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Hartford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604. 

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