James 'Jim' Wilson

JAMES "JIM" WESLEY WILSON

Swisher

James "Jim" Wesley Wilson, 83, of Swisher, died suddenly Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at his home. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Inurnment: Anderson Cemetery, Swisher.

Jim was born April 12, 1935, the son of Clarence and Margarite (Kent) Wilson, in Albia, Iowa. He graduated from Morvia High School and then moved to Cedar Rapids. He was married to Ruth Christopherson on Aug. 4, 1956. In those 62 years together, they had three children, Dawn (Tom) Terrell, Jeff (Kris) Wilson and Andrea (Jim) Park; and six grandchildren, Sonya (Matt Ironside) LaGrange, Samantha (Matt) Ternes, Andrew (Jessica) Wilson, Nicole (Mark) Svendsen, Eli Park and Gracie Park. He also is survived by 15 great grandchildren; two brothers, Jake and Tom Wilson; eight sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews, whom he always held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John; and sister, Dorthea Mae. Throughout the years he has lost many of his brothers and sisters-in-law, to whom he was very close as well.

When Jim moved to Cedar Rapids, he began working at Wilson's Packing House. He then began his career in the construction business with Suburban Lumber and Midwest Homes (Skogman), until he started his own business, Wilson's Rubbish Hauling. Jim retired from the business in 2013.

He loved watching his Iowa Hawkeyes. When his youngest daughter attended Iowa, there wasn't an Iowa home game that you didn't see their camper down there tailgating with friends and family. They would even travel to one away game each year and made it to a bowl game. As he and Ruth grew older, you could find them in their favorite bar, City Beat or Shuey's, rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Jim so loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play in their sports activities.

He was happiest when he moved to Swisher and could sit on his mower, mow the grass, enjoy nature and feed the birds. Jim also enjoyed driving his golf cart over to check on the new condos being built across the road. He was very much a people person and loved a great conversation. No words can express how deeply he will be missed by all of us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to Jim's favorite organizations.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.