Jack LeRoy Wilson, age 85, of Moravia, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia.
Jack was born May 12, 1937, at home on the farm near Blakesburg, IA, to William U. and Opal (DuVall) Wilson. He grew up attending school and graduated from the Moravia High School with the class of 1955. He was united in marriage to Barbara Raymie at the Methodist Church in Centerville, IA, and to this union, 5 children, Mitch, Cathy, Jackie, Linda, and Bill, were born. Jack and Barb shared 47 years of marriage prior to Barb’s passing in 2000. In 2003, Jack was united in marriage to Carol Doll at the Grace United Methodist Church in Moravia.
Jack worked at Link Belt in Cedar Rapids before returning to the Blakesburg area to farm. He later went to work at John Deere for 30 years until his retirement in 1995, starting out in assembly before completing tool and die training and going to work in the tool and die room.
Jack was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Moravia and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed being outdoors, camping, elk hunting, farming, riding 4-wheelers and motorcycles, and going on excursions in his Jeep. They enjoyed wintering in Arizona and Texas. Jack had a great sense of humor and loved to visit with others. He enjoyed photography, going to the casino, and playing cards and cribbage. Family was everything to Jack. He often visited his family members and cherished all of the time he spent with them. He especially enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events.
Jack is survived by his wife, Carol; 4 children, Mitch Wilson, Cathy Wilson, Linda (David Campbell) Freese, and Bill (Megan) Wilson; 2 stepchildren, Renea (Jamie) Marshall and Louie (Tosh) Doll; 21 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. Jack is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Jackie Gilbert; his parents, William and Opal Wilson; a sister Charlotte in infancy and 2 brothers, Bill and Bob Wilson
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Jack’s family present to greet family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Christy Ehrle officiating. Burial will follow services at Eslinger Cemetery in rural Monroe County.
A memorial has been established to Eslinger Cemetery.
Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.
