John Henry Wilson, Jr. 95, Gig Harbor resident since 1996, died on April 25, 2020, at home with his family by his side. He was born in Malvern, Ark on March 4, 1925. As a young child he moved to Terminal Island in California where he joined the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He was proud of his World War II veteran status. Later, he married and became the father of three children.
In 1970 he moved from Southern California to Portland, Oregon. John loved the great Northwest and spent much of his time fishing, crabbing, and tending to his 13 cows. Dancing was a favorite hobby. But best of all was spending time with his family. He remarried in 1990 then retired after a 30 year career with Continental Can Co.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Gig Harbor; daughter Louise (Jay) Davis of El Dorado Hills, CA; son Kenneth (Peggy) Wilson of Portland, OR; daughter Renee (Dave) Hughes of La Pine, OR; Step-daughter Cassandra (Kevin) Doty of Vancouver, WA; step-son Todd (Fe) Melton of Puyallup, WA; step-son Christopher (Cheri) Melton of Hereford, AZ; grandchildren Jeff (Natalie) Davis, Jennifer (Kevin) Seeley, Jonathan (Natalie) Van Epps, Stacy (Joe) Gallinger, Kenneth (Desiree) Wilson, Scott (Kate) Wilson, Alyse (Mike) Huskinson, Mitchel (Melissa) Doty, Makenna (Cameron) Jensen, Marit (Chandler) Lindhorst; and 15 great grandchildren.
John was a great friend to many. He could talk to you for hours about his lifetime adventures. How lucky we all are to have him as part of our lives.
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