James Dee Wilson, 88, passed away Monday morning June 23, 2014 in his home in Early, TX.

A memorial service will be held Thursday June 26, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Heartland Funeral Home – 303 Early Blvd in Brownwood with Johnny McCaghren officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm prior to the service. Heartland Funeral Home will direct the service and burial immediately following at Amity Cemetery, southeast of Rising Star at the intersection of Comanche CR 127 and Comanche CR 131.

Dee was born in Hawley, TX to Grady and Bessie Wilson. He graduated from Anson High School and served our country in WWII in the US Navy as a signalman on a tanker stationed in Guam. After the war, he attended Abilene Christian College where he met and married Margaret Landreth in 1948. After Dee received his BS degree from ACC, they moved to Van Horn, TX in the early 50’s. Dee was a coach for a short time and then a farmer/rancher for over 20 years. With a career change in the early 70’s, as an insurance agent for Texas Farm Bureau, they moved to Cisco. A few years later, they owned and operated the Montgomery Ward catalog store in Eastland until retirement to their ranch southeast of Rising Star in 1991. In 2008, for health reasons, they moved to their current home. As a faithful Christian and member of the church of Christ, Dee served as a song leader, teacher, and elder for several decades always living his faith in his daily life.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret. Also, three children: a son, Jim and his wife, Susan; a daughter, Jane and her husband, Rick; and a son, Kerry and his wife, Lori. Dee was known as “DeeDad” to his six grandchildren: Dan and his wife, Dana, Jeff and his wife, Megan, Tim, Kyle, Katy and her husband, Blake, and Kallie. Also, eight great grandchildren: Tatum, Quinn, Harper, Dylan, Finley, Tripp, Grace, and Maggie; and one brother, Delbert and his wife, Pam plus numerous other family members. Dee was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, L.G. Wilson, and one sister, Ladell Green. The family would especially like to thank everyone for their help and their prayers during this difficult time.

Heartland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.