Joseph D. Wilson, M.D. (S ’52)

Joseph Didion “Jim” Wilson, age 93, of Bellingham, Washington, passed away November 10, 2013 in Bellingham. He was born December 8, 1919, at St. Joseph’s Home and Hospital in Stockton, California, a third generation Californian. He graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Medical School, and served as a Flight Surgeon in the United States Navy in World War II.

After the service, he was an Assistant Resident in Surgery for one year at San Joaquin General Hospital before becoming a Fellow in Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for four years. Dr. Wilson engaged in the private practice of surgery in Stockton, California from 1952 through 1980. Subsequently, he was Associate Director of Surgery and Medical Director at San Joaquin General Hospital through 1993. Dr. Wilson was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Board of General Surgery, the Stockton Surgical Society and the Stockton Golf and Country Club. Ever since childhood, Jim Wilson had a reverence for the earth, sea and sky, simple pleasures and nature’s beauty.

Wordsworth’s verse, “My Heart Leaps Up”, was his favorite. In the early 1980’s, with his own hands, Jim planted rootstock that would become the Wilson family walnut ranch on Copperopolis Road outside Stockton, CA. It was there on October 25, 1997, the family celebrated Jim and Sally’s 50th wedding anniversary. That special day, bathed in warm autumn sunshine, was a testament to all that Jim held dear – surrounded by his loving family, laughing and sharing stories over good food and wine, while gathered around a long harvest table set in the midst of his beautiful, bountiful orchard in his beloved San Joaquin Valley.

Joseph D. “Jim” Wilson is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sara Ireland “Sally” Wilson of Bellingham, Washington, children Rhys Joseph (Margaret) Wilson, Sara (Barney) Gardner, Margot (Terry Lewis) Wilson, and Janet D. (Dan) EuBanks and grandchildren Zachary (Jenny) Zuckerman, Dinah (fiancé Dave Camphin) Zuckerman, Graydon Wilson, Beckett Wilson, and Piper Wilson. A private family gathering will be held in Summer 2014. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Dining Room, Stockton, CA or to a local charity of your choice. Share memories with the family at http://www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

Obituary courtesy of The Bellingham Herald.