Gary Wilkinson
09-26-1940 -
02-05-2021
Gary was born September 26th, 1940 in Topeka, Kansas to the parents of John Wesley and Helen (Witchey) Wilkinson. His father and mother separated and divorced in 1944. Gary's father took custody of him in 1945 and brought him out to Medford, Oregon, later settling in Central Point, Oregon. His father re-married in 1946 to Lena Zimmerlee, who was from the Rogue Valley in Medford, Oregon area.
Gary was a GED Graduate from Crater High School – Class of 1959, Central Point, Oregon. He is a Vietnam Veteran that retried from the U.S Navy in 1978 as a Chief Radioman with 20-1/2 years' service. During his career, he served on two Destroyers, two Aircraft Carriers, and two Amphibious Dock Landing Ships, plus four shore-duty establishments. The Last two shore Duties included instructor Duty, teaching communication & electronics to many fleet Navy Men, in both San Diego, California and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During 1967, he served on the Staff of Commander Attack Carrier Striking Force, U.S. Seventh Fleet, also known as Commander Task Force Seventy-Seven (CTF-77) in the Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
After his naval career, Gary was hired in October 1978 by Pacific Telatronics, Inc., Medford, Oregon, later becoming Pacific Microwave Joint Venture that operated under Western Tele-Communication, Inc. (WTCI), then in its last years under the parent company of Charter Communications. He held the position of Senior Technician and Technical Manager when retiring in June of 2008 with nearly 30 years' service.
After Gary's retirement, he and his wife enjoyed making short trips to see their children, and visit the coast of Oregon. His wife enjoyed travels and visiting various casinos.
Gary and his wife, made one last big trip in April & May of 2019 across country, visiting families and friends in Kansas, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The entire round-trip by car was 8,656 miles in 38 days.
Gary's wife, Margaret "Peggy", predeceased him in October 2nd, of 2019 after 55 years of marriage. Gary is survived by four children; daughters, Laureen Llarena (Andy) of Springfield, Oregon and Lisa Fuentes (Chris) also of Springfield, Oregon; sons, Michael Wilkinson of Medford, Oregon and John Wilkinson (Barbara) of Grapeview, Washington; his granddaughters, Taiche Metro (Aaron) of Flowery Branch, GA; Cori Flanagan (Brandon) of Springfield, OR; Adria Fuentes and Allison Fuentes both of Springfield, OR; and one grandson, Ashton Wilkinson of Spokane, Washington. He also leaves behind four great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.
In Feb. 2020, Gary was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Cancer in his left lung, liver and various other organs in his upper torso. He was immediately started on Chemotherapy infusions in March 2020 and Brain radiation in July 2020.
Gary passed away in his home surrounded by his 4 children on February 5th, 2021. His passing was peaceful with so much love around him.
|
