Jimmy Wilkinson was born May 5, 1947 in DeWitt, AR to Junior and Lavina (Toland) Wilkinson. He died Aug. 14, 2023 in Henryetta.
Jimmy’s family moved to Henryetta in 1959, making this their home for many years. Jimmy attended Henryetta schools from his seventh grade until graduating High School in 1966.
Jimmy worked for W.R.Stubbs Transports in Henryetta as a diesel mechanic from the summer of 1963 to 1977. He then continued his diesel mechanic work for Chemical Express in Tulsa, Ok for a short time before going to work for Ellex Transportation where he served as superintendent of maintenance for two years. Due to the company moving he went to work for Bama Pie as a diesel mechanic until getting the opportunity to work local and Midland Glass in Henryetta as a Journeyman mechanic until his retirement in 1995, the company becoming Anchor Glass.
Jimmy was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the First Born on June 18, 1961. He also served his country with the US Army from April of 1968 until April of 1970, being stationed in Okinawa Japan during the Vietnam War.
Jimmy met the love of his life, Beverly K. Palmer at 13 years of age going through their years as “School Sweethearts”. They married Aug. 19, 1966 in Henryetta
Jimmy is preceded in death by his son, Marcus Leon Wilkinson, parents Junior and Lavina. In-laws Leon and Kate Palmer. Sister, Violet Juanita Wilkinson and brother-in-laws Ollie Bosch, Morris Palmer and Richard Robinson.
He is survived by his wife Beverly (Palmer) Wilkinson of the home; children: Vance Wilkinson of the home, Chad Wilkinson of Broken Arrow, Cory and Tryphene Wilkinson of Oklahoma City, Niccole and Jeremy Pippin of Henryetta, Kimberly and Paul Perkins of Henryetta, Donnavee Wilkinson of Oklahoma City and Farrah Wilkinson Cathey of Tulsa; grandchildren: Katelyne and Brady Pippin, Sakari Wilkinson, Kayeden Perkins, Taryn Wilkinson, Saraya and Danica Wilkinson, Ethan and Eternity Azwar, Kiska and Jeshua Carter; sisters: Connie and Galen Thompson; Sharron Bosch; Vera Robinson and Robin and Rick Henderson; brother: Harry and Tonya Wilkinson.
Visitation with family present will be Thursday, Aug. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rogers Funeral Home
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 at the General Assembly and Church of the First Born (South of Henryetta) with Brother Dirk Palmer and Brother Jeremy Pippin, officiating. Interment will be at the Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Rogers Funeral Home.