JAMES PETERS WILSON, 73, died Sunday evening October 8, 2023, after a year-long battle with cancer in his Elkins, WV home surrounded by Susan, his wife of 52 years, and several other family members. Jim was born the youngest of three sons to John and Ruth (Amos) Wilson on JUNE 30, 1950 in Cleveland Heights, OH. At the age of 2, the family moved to Berea, OH until they settled in Oakwood (Dayton, OH) in 1958. He married his high school sweetheart Susan M. (Amann) Wilson on June 26, 1971, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Dayton, OH. After meeting in study hall at Oakwood HS, they went on their first date in February of 1967 attending a Chinese New Year dance together. Jim graduated from Oakwood in 1968 to attend Yale University where he studied Economics. He was a 3-year member of the Alley Cats singing group before being selected as a senior to join the famous a cappella Whiffenpoofs who travelled the US and Bermuda on tour before he graduated in June 1972. He continued to demonstrate his love of music by cantering at Holy Angels, singing in various choirs throughout his life, and soloing at many weddings and other special events for family and friends.
He started his work career at Gem City Saving & Loan Assn. on the same day that his daughter was born in 1972. During his 5-year tenure at Gem City, he worked on his MBA at the University of Dayton (UD) and graduated in 1977 accompanied by his wife, daughter, and two young sons by his side. He then worked as a systems engineer at IBM for 15 years before he moved to Troy, OH and took a job as the Tipp City Schools technology coordinator where he worked for more than a decade. During that time he also taught finance as an adjunct professor for UD, and was a dissertation shy of his PhD in Education from UD. He finished his working career at the IRS in Cincinnati. Jim cared deeply about learning and education, so he served 17 years on the Oakwood School Board and then another 5 1/2 years on the Troy City School Board. During his tenure there, he served 3 years with a double role as liaison to the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School (JVS) in Piqua, OH. Jim’s reason, intellect, and ability to see multiple sides of a situation allowed him to be of great value to the school districts he served. In 2017 Susan and Jim moved to Elkins, WV to enjoy their retirement in the mountains and by the river. Sincere thank you to the “River Rats” for making the last 6 years of Jim’s life special.
Jim was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Todd Wilson, his parents, his brother Fred Wilson, his sister-in-law Kathy Amann Neal, his father-in-law Patrick E Amann, and his nephew and godson, Matthew Amann Neal. Jim is survived by his wife Susan, children Tricia (Aaron) Seitz of Carmel, IN, James P. Wilson, Jr. (Melissa) of Zanesville, OH, and Richard P. Wilson of Cambridge, OH; grandchildren: Tally & Margy Seitz, Zaccaria, Caitlyn and Christopher Wilson; his brother David A. Wilson (Karla) of St. Louis, his sister-in-law Linda (Bruce) Snyder of Dayton, OH, and his mother-in law, Mary T. Amann of Dayton, OH, as well as several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held to commemorate Jim's life on Saturday, November 4th at 11:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 1322 Brown St., Dayton, OH 45409. Fr. Len Wenke and Deacon Raymond Godwin will be the Celebrants.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to American Youth Foundation at ayf.com at the donations tab in memory of James P. Wilson or to CAMP Wade, founded by Dominican sisters to aid children 7-15 experience the outdoors at 181 St. Brendan Way, Elkins, WV 26241. Susan also suggests taking a loved one to lunch in honor of Jim. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for James Peters Wilson.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Jim Wilson hosted by Tomblyn Funeral Home.
JAMES PETERS WILSON, 73, died Sunday evening October 8, 2023, after a year-long battle with cancer in his Elkins, WV home surrounded by Susan, his wife of 52 years, and several other family members. Jim was born the youngest of three sons to John and Ruth (Amos) Wilson on JUNE 30, 1950 in Cleveland Heights, OH. At the age of 2, the family moved to Berea, OH until they settled in Oakwood (Dayton, OH) in 1958. He married his high school sweetheart Susan M. (Amann) Wilson on June 26, 1971, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Dayton, OH. After meeting in study hall at Oakwood HS, they went on their first date in February of 1967 attending a Chinese New Year dance together. Jim graduated from Oakwood in 1968 to attend Yale University where he studied Economics. He was a 3-year member of the Alley Cats singing group before being selected as a senior to join the famous a cappella Whiffenpoofs who travelled the US and Bermuda on tour before he graduated in June 1972. He continued to demonstrate his love of music by cantering at Holy Angels, singing in various choirs throughout his life, and soloing at many weddings and other special events for family and friends.
He started his work career at Gem City Saving & Loan Assn. on the same day that his daughter was born in 1972. During his 5-year tenure at Gem City, he worked on his MBA at the University of Dayton (UD) and graduated in 1977 accompanied by his wife, daughter, and two young sons by his side. He then worked as a systems engineer at IBM for 15 years before he moved to Troy, OH and took a job as the Tipp City Schools technology coordinator where he worked for more than a decade. During that time he also taught finance as an adjunct professor for UD, and was a dissertation shy of his PhD in Education from UD. He finished his working career at the IRS in Cincinnati. Jim cared deeply about learning and education, so he served 17 years on the Oakwood School Board and then another 5 1/2 years on the Troy City School Board. During his tenure there, he served 3 years with a double role as liaison to the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School (JVS) in Piqua, OH. Jim’s reason, intellect, and ability to see multiple sides of a situation allowed him to be of great value to the school districts he served. In 2017 Susan and Jim moved to Elkins, WV to enjoy their retirement in the mountains and by the river. Sincere thank you to the “River Rats” for making the last 6 years of Jim’s life special.
Jim was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Todd Wilson, his parents, his brother Fred Wilson, his sister-in-law Kathy Amann Neal, his father-in-law Patrick E Amann, and his nephew and godson, Matthew Amann Neal. Jim is survived by his wife Susan, children Tricia (Aaron) Seitz of Carmel, IN, James P. Wilson, Jr. (Melissa) of Zanesville, OH, and Richard P. Wilson of Cambridge, OH; grandchildren: Tally & Margy Seitz, Zaccaria, Caitlyn and Christopher Wilson; his brother David A. Wilson (Karla) of St. Louis, his sister-in-law Linda (Bruce) Snyder of Dayton, OH, and his mother-in law, Mary T. Amann of Dayton, OH, as well as several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held to commemorate Jim's life on Saturday, November 4th at 11:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 1322 Brown St., Dayton, OH 45409. Fr. Len Wenke and Deacon Raymond Godwin will be the Celebrants.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to American Youth Foundation at ayf.com at the donations tab in memory of James P. Wilson or to CAMP Wade, founded by Dominican sisters to aid children 7-15 experience the outdoors at 181 St. Brendan Way, Elkins, WV 26241. Susan also suggests taking a loved one to lunch in honor of Jim. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for James Peters Wilson.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Jim Wilson hosted by Tomblyn Funeral Home.
