James K Wilson

Lifelong Mat-Su resident James K Wilson, 62, died April 8, 2011, at home of a heart attack.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m., April 14 at First Baptist Church of Palmer with Pastor Bruce Rowell officiating.

Jim was born May 21, 1948, in White Salmon, Wash., moving to Alaska at 4 months of age. Jim graduated from Palmer High School in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1968 to August 1970, receiving a purple heart in Vietnam.

Jim worked for D&A Super from 1959-1982, from box boy to general manager, and also worked at Proctors, as a freelance artist, mechanic, statewide racetrack announcer, and was a manager at Denali Materials for the past eight years until the time of his death.

Jim was a lifelong member of the VFW. His hobbies included racing hydroplanes, skiing, snowmachines, motorcycles, drag car, stock and sprint cars, four-wheeling, boating, dirt biking, riding his Harley, flying small planes, woodworking, metalsmithing and painting. He was skilled at playing the trombone, but also played several musical instruments. He was also a master chef and king of the barbecue.

Jim was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, friend, grandfather and uncle. Larger than life, he was a natural leader. He loved his family and being outdoors. He was thrilled to go fast and anything with a motor drew his attention. He enjoyed writing poems and drawing. He loved the simple things in life. Nothing made him happier than being with his family, roasting a hot dog on an open fire, watching the sun set and sharing a beer and a story at Big Lake. He just enjoyed living life.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Wilson, of Wasilla; sons, Shawn Wilson and daughter-in-law Myrle Shillingford-Wilson, Dana Wilson and Jesse Wilson, all of Wasilla; daughters and sons-in-law, Tammie Wilson and Dan Vermilyea, and Kerry Wilson and John Gregoire; mother, Wanda P. Marrs of Palmer; brothers and sisters-in-law, Allyn and Sharon Wilson, and Jerry and Rita Wilson of Anchorage; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Richard Slavick of South Dakota; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.