Jt Wilson

JT Wilson was born on October 4, 1929 and passed away January 28, 2021 in his Pensacola, Florida home, the same home his wife passed away in 19 days earlier. He enjoyed a big belly laugh, hot fudge sundaes, and making his grandchildren smile with a wink or subtle look from across the room. He will stay in our hearts forever.

JT grew up in Lake City, Tennessee with nine siblings. He served in the 6th division in the Korean war at the young age of 17, from 1946-1948.

After the war he moved to Ohio. There he started bootlegging whiskey from Kentucky into Ohio for a short year until he met Miss Alma West, fell in love, and married her. He often joked that she cleaned him up and kept him in line. He served in the National Guard for over 5 years after the War. While serving, he competed against the best shooters in the military, FBI, police force, etc. in the National Match at Camp Perry for the National Guard. He won first place with the Colt 45 ACP and second place with the M1 Grand. After the win, JT was offered a firearms training position for the FBI. He respectfully declined.

Alma and JT moved with their three children to Gulf Breeze, Florida and started their own business, Palms Court. They ran this together for 4 years. They sold the business and moved to Pensacola, Florida where they settled and spent the rest of their lives together.

JT was a very intelligent man. He built some of the first nuclear power plants all around the United States while working for the Union.

He also loved to teach. He taught a welding class at Pensacola Junior College and taught his son, Frederick J.T. Wilson how to weld. They built Fredrick’s home and Automotive Shop together.

He is predeceased by his parents, Horace Wilson and Odessa Hatmaker Wilson. His wife of 70 years, Alma Wilson, passed 19 days before him in their home. He is also predeceased by all nine of his siblings; Ulysses Wilson, Issac Wilson, Carl Wilson, H.C. Wilson, Christine Lewis, Betty Hasul, Reba Festa, Larry Wilson, and Franklin Wilson.

JT is survived by his three children Sandra Wilson, Frederick J.T. Wilson, and Debra Cravatt. He has 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. Sandra's children are Kandice Teenah Wirfs and Annette Pate. Debra's children include, in order- Paul Cravatt, Anna Lee, Thomas Cravatt, Jeremy Cravatt, Almalee Perez, Rebekah Rivera, Joseph Cravatt, Sarah Cravatt, and Elizabeth Manis. Frederick's daughter is Nicole J.T. Wilson. JT’s great grandchildren are Chelsea Amaro, Cassidy Lown, Adam and Kaden Bensalem; Jeremy Vaughan, Clay Vaughan, and Ethan Pate; James and Amelia Cravatt; Dylan and Braeden Cravatt; Kelsey Williams; Austin and Starlynn Josey; Hunter Cravatt; Andrew Enfinger, Evan Manis, and Scarlett Manis. His great great granddaughter is Ava Brooke Amaro. JT also has 18 nephews and 18 nieces. Betty Beech, his neice, and Ulysses Wilson Jr. his nephew, both visited JT in his home and contributed to caring for him there for many of his last years.

JT was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, a 32 degree Mason, known as a Scottish Rite Mason. He was also named Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in the 1960's. JT is having a masonic burial in Lake City, Tennessee where he grew up. There will be a veteran gun salute and his grandson, Paul Cravatt, will accompany him to Oak Grove Cemetery.

We would like to give a special thanks to JT's caregivers who spent the last years of his life with him. Maria Frost, Denise Allen, and Chistina Allen worked many hours taking care of JT. They fed him, bathed him, cooked, cleaned, gave him his medications, and most importantly, gave him a friendly face to spend time with. Hospice Nurse, Julie, helped JT and his wife, Alma, transition to the other side in peace.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lake City, Tennessee for a 2:00 PM graveside service with Military Honors presented by the Campbell County Honor Guard.