James "Jim" David Wilson

James David Wilson was born on January 30, 1930 in Burr Oak, Kansas, to William Edwin and Verla Viola Payne Wilson.  He died in Eugene, Oregon on January 27, 2025 of complications from a stroke.

Jim was the last of seven children born to a farming family.  When he was four years old the family moved to Chambers, NE and when he was seven, they moved Star, Idaho.  Jim attended schools in Star and Boise, then after the family moved to Eugene, Oregon where he attended and graduated from Eugene High School, (now South Eugene High School).

Jim was drafted into the US Army in January 1951.  He worked as a baker at Fort Sherman in Panama, where he was stationed for most of his time in the service.  Jim was discharged in January 1953.  He returned to Eugene and worked for the Korn Bakery, which became Davidson’s Bakery and retired from Williams’ Bakery after 45 years in the industry.

Jim met Lynette Jean Huntoon Wilson when they both worked for Davidson’s Bakery, and were married in Stevenson, Washington on January 25, 1958.  Their daughters, Kim was born in 1959 and Tana in 1961.

Jim’s hobbies included golf, bowling, decorating cakes, woodworking and painting.  He also enjoyed watching baseball and golf, either in person or on TV.  Jim was a volunteer with the Springfield Police Department, Crime Prevention Unit. He assisted in the Lock Out Crime project, where he installed deadbolt locks and helped repair damage to homes that were damaged in criminal acts.  He assisted Tana with many of her presentations to community groups and he was the Department Historian, gathering stories from newspapers and other sources to compile scrapbooks.

After Lynette moved into a memory care facility, Jim decided he wanted to sell the house and move into a retirement apartment complex, and he decided on Willamette Oaks in Eugene. Jim enjoyed the lifestyle there, making new friends and being involved in the activities, he even made a couple of television commercials for them.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 51 years, Lynette, his siblings; Wilma, Roy, Ethel, Etna, Lisle and Vern.  His stepdaughter Loretta Gant and her husband Terry in 2024. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law; Kim and Mike Charboneau of Springfield, OR, and Tana and Jim Steers of Sisters, OR.  Grandchildren; Nancy, Travis, Hanna, Ashley, Joshua, James, Mary, Tim, Jacque, Tammy, Barry, Tara and Damon.  29 great-grandchildren, 8 great great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was entombed next to his wife at Springfield Memorial Gardens, Springfield, OR.

There will be a Memorial Gathering on February, 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm, at Willamette Oaks, 455 Alexander Loop, Eugene, OR.  All were welcome.