Jim G. Wilson age 80 of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on June 15, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his family by his side.
On September 1, 1942, Jimmie Gene “Jim” Wilson was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Charles Edward “Ed” and Elsie Marie (Russell) Wilson. Jim’s big brothers were Fred and Ronnie.
Jim grew up attending Coffeyville schools and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1960. During his high school years, he was on the swim team, was a Golden Glove Boxer, president of the Boys Club and played baseball; he was an excellent pitcher. The St. Louis Cardinals were actively pursuing Jim, but because of a pitching injury it eliminated his chances of going pro. His high school days also included dating a beautiful young girl, Frances “Punkin” Trimble. Just a few days after their graduation on May 29, 1960, they were married in Coffeyville, Kansas. Together they shared 57 wonderful years together before her passing in 2017. The couple not only married in Coffeyville, but they also even Honeymooned in Coffeyville, little did they know that their lives would involve multiple moves and extensive travels. Jim's job involved travel and in the last 25 years of employment he was blessed with Punkin being able to travel with him; together taking every opportunity of free time to enjoy the sites in the area. They truly enjoyed their time together. Jim was a loving and a dedicated husband, he loved Punkin almost more than life it’s self he was deeply saddened when she passed away.
Jim and Punkin were blessed with two daughters: Tammy Marie and Jamie Sue. Jim was such a good dad, he loved his girls, he took every opportunity to teach them life lessons in the most practical terms. He encouraged them to be the best they could be at everything they did. He wanted them to pursue their dreams in life and in their career choices, and not to accept anything less. His baseball days were over, but he used those skills to become the perfect softball coach for his girls. This was truly a family affair, Jim coached, Punkin kept the stats, and the girls took the field.
Jim was a self-accomplished aerospace engineer. He began his career in 1968 as a draftsman at North American Rockwell in Tulsa, Oklahoma; tool design was his specialty. In 1972 he moved his family to Abilene, Texas to work at Automation Industries until 1981. Jim and his family then moved back to Tulsa where he turned to Rockwell to become the project manager over the Challenger Space Shuttle. In 1986 the opportunity of becoming a part of the design team for the Stealth B2 Bomber moved Jim and his family back to Texas where he began working for Northup. Jim was an excellent leader; he was always mindful that it took everyone and each of their positions to make the business successful. No one position was more important than another.
After he retired from Aerospace, he wasn’t content with not working. Jim was known for dotting his I’s and crossing his T’s and for keeping a tight budget. With those skills he became the CEO for UMI in Haskell, Oklahoma; President for Southwestern United Industries and several other companies where he was a Turnaround Specialist. He helped companies go from being in the red to becoming a lucrative company again.
Jim was a frugal man, he always made sure he had what his family needed, was extravagant in many ways and tight as the bark on a tree in many more. He always made sure he had what he needed and often time the “what he needed” meant that he might have 3 or 4 of the same things, whether it was a tool or a part to have on hand just in case something came up.
Jim’s world was completely turned upside down the day that Punkin passed away, he was deeply grief stricken and mourned her passing. God knew that Jim needed someone with which to share life with. God provided just that. Jim reconnected with his and Punkin’s classmate Patricia (Majors) Polk-Marlow, which he was years ago supposed to take to a junior high dance. She couldn’t go because she broke her leg roller skating. Pat had lost her husband in March of 2017 and after a few years Pat and Jim were reunited. On June 16, 2020, Jim and Pat were married, making their home in Coffeyville, enjoying each other’s company, and sharing life together. Jim felt it was a blessing to have two of the best women he knew as his wives. It was truly God’s handy work that brought them together, they were each other’s life savers.
Jim will be remembered by his family and friends as an ornery, funny, caring man that paid attention to the details. He is survived by his wife, Pat, of the home. He is also survived by his daughters Tammy Wilson-Leist and husband Joe, Jamie Sue Blake-Turner, grandchildren Jamie Leist, Bobby Blake, Gary Blake, 10 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren; Pat’s children Lori Bromley and husband Mike, Eddie Polk and wife Jill, Becky Overton and husband Kolby, Pat’s grandchildren Whitley Verratti and husband Eric, Joshua Bromley and wife Aricka, Matthew Bromley and wife Cali, Colton Hambleton and wife Jordan, Caleb Bromley, Nichole Woods and husband Shae, and Courtney Hambleton, Pat’s 9 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. In addition to Punkin, he was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Fred Marang and Ronnie Marang.
Funeral services for Jim will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel located at 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, Kansas. Jim will be laid to rest in Robbins Cemetery following the service next to his late wife Punkin. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 5 to 7pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Jim’s family have requested memorial contributions to be made payable to St. Judes Children's Hospital in Jim's memory and may be left in care of the chapel. Visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel;.com
