James M. Wilkinson

James M. Wilkinson, 90, of Orange, Texas, passed away on June 26, 2019, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Burial will follow the service at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on February 27, 1929, he was the son of Joe Wilkinson and Dawnie Eltron Williams. James worked as the Superintendent of the Drafting Department at DuPont Sabine River Works for 39 years. He graduated from Lamar University twice after 2 years and after 4 years with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. James was a member of First United Methodist Church in Orange. He enjoyed woodcarving Kachina dolls and loved to travel. His favorite places he has traveled to are Alaska, Hawaii, Tahiti, France, and New Zealand among many others. James loved his family dearly and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Dawnie.

James is survived by his loving wife of over 70 years, Anna Ruth Wilkinson; son, James Terry Wilkinson and fiancé Huicha Yun, of Salado; grandchildren, Alice Elizabeth Wilkinson, of Hutto, and Laura Elaine Wilkinson, of Austin; great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Oehlke, of Taylor; brother, Joe Brent Wilkinson and wife Susan, of San Angelo; nephew, Matthew Wilkinson, of Austin; and his niece, Tracy Macho and husband Michael, of Pasadena, CA.

Serving as pallbearers will be Don Bayliss, Mick Widner, David Dubois, Richard Anderson, Jimmy Hinyard, and Lee Ford. Honorary pallbearer is Arthur Benton Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church at 502 N 6th St. Orange, TX 77630.