James Douglas (Jim) Wilson died March 31, 2019, in Cuero, Texas, after complications from pneumonia.  Mr. Wilson was the firstborn son of Lindy and Mary Wilson in Dubuque, Iowa on October 19, 1939.   He graduated from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City in 1958, attended Trinity University in San Antonio, the University of Houston in Houston and graduated with a BS in Sociology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, in 1964.

Mr. Wilson was initially employed by Goodwill Industries in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was soon promoted to store manager and trainer.  He was transferred to Victoria, Texas and Kingsville, Texas, but realized he needed to be in Victoria to begin his life's work.  With the cooperation and support of several financial institutions and civic organizations, Mr. Wilson was instrumental in the creation and longevity of The Hope Chest, a non-profit thrift store and resale shop in downtown Victoria in which he hired and trained many disabled men and women.  The Hope Chest closed upon Mr. Wilson's retirement in 2007.

Mr. Wilson married Deanna Gonzalez of Victoria TX with whom he had a son, Michael James Wilson.  His second wife, Mary Alice Villarreal, also of Victoria, TX, died in 2009.  Mr. Wilson is survived by his son, Michael and his wife, Christine; three grandchildren, Mitchel, Madison and Gabriel; his brothers, Dr. Gary Wilson and wife, Priscilla, of Red Oak, TX, and Jack Wilson and wife, Kynn, of Orlando, FL and his sister, Malinda Wilson, of Encinitas, CA.; his niece, Dr. Jennifer Wilson and her husband, Dr. Arturo Oyola-Yemaiel; nephew Tom Wilson and his wife, Jenni Villegas Wilson; niece Mandolyn Wilson Rosen and her husband, Neil Rosen.   Mr. Wilson also leaves behind hundreds of friends and loved ones who have cherished their friendship with Jim and carry his optimism and humor with them everywhere.

The family expresses sincere appreciation for the devotion and care by Jim and Karen Jones of Victoria, TX, who have stood with Jim through every moment of his longterm hospitalization and rehabilitation.  We also appreciate the staff at Twin Pines Nursing Home in Victoria and Whispering Oaks Nursing Home in Cuero.

Memorial Services will be held Thursday, April 4, 2019, 2 pm, Lifepointe Fellowship Church in Victoria with Pastor Les Cole officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in Jim's honor be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.