Roosevelt Wilson Jr.

This is the story of Roosevelt Wilson, Jr, known as “Jim.”   Jim was a man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. He was known for his witty personality, a comedian by nature, and the best Fence Installer by trade.

Jim’s story started on April 25, 1951, the third child born to Roosevelt “Bo” Wilson, Sr.  and Glendora (Wilson) Johnson. As Jim would say, “I am my momma’s only son.”  Jim was born in Pickens, Mississippi and spent most of his childhood with his grandmother, Viola Williams, (who spoiled him very much), and his dad and stepmother, Bo Wilson, and Rose Ann Wilson.   Jim attended Camden Elementary School and Velma Ware Jackson High School in Camden, Mississippi until moving to Kansas City with his mother and stepfather, Glendora Johnson and Isreal Johnson, Jr. He attended Paseo High School where he met and married Iretta (Wheeler) Wilson. Jim was spoiled by everyone.   He was spoiled by his siblings in Mississippi and his sisters in Kansas City (the girls as he would say). Jim loved watching the news even as a little boy, he would say that it was his responsibility and we all should have political awareness and political interest.

When Jim moved to Kansas City, his parents bought him a 1964 orange Chevrolet to drive to Paseo High School and his sisters were walking to school.  He was the only boy in the home, he teased his sisters about dressing alike and buying matching clothes on sale.  His sisters continued spoiling him, his oldest sister Earnestine, cooked for him every Sunday and the others did whatever he wanted and when he wanted it. Jim began working for the American Fence Company after high school and traveled to Detroit, Michigan and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He installed the fence at the Kansas Speedway when they first opened. He continued after retirement installing fences for friends and family. Jim attended St. Matthew Baptist Church with his grandmother, Viola Williams where he was baptized.  He united with the Greenwood Baptist Church, Rev. McKinley Dukes, pastor until moving to Detroit, Michigan and after returning to Kansas City he united with the Friendship Baptist Church, Pastor James A. Terrance, Jr. As much as he enjoyed the work he did and jokes he told, he loved nothing more than his children, grandchildren, family, playing dominos with Oscar (Yankee) Shelby, whom he called dad, and hanging out at Benny (Billy) Joe’s house.