Jerry Lee Wilkins' Obituary
Jerry Lee Wilkins 11/21/45 2/16/17 Mr. Wilkins was born in Pickensville, AL on November 21, 1945, the son of a cotton picker and sharecropper, Robert Wilkins, and mother QueenEster Mccoy. When his mother died from childbirth after child number eight, his father brought the whole family to Tacoma, where Robert Wilkins' sister lived. Jerry attended Central School, McCarver, played football, and graduated from Stadium High School. He worked at Mt. Tahoma High School, Tacoma General Hospital, St. Regis Door Plant, West Coast Doors, and Atlas Foundry as a welder. He had his first stroke while working at Atlas Foundry, and retired on disability. Even while paralyzed from the stroke, he continued to mow the lawn, take walks for mobility, and work on his beloved 1969 Plymouth GTX. He was a huge "presence" to all who knew him. He was followed around the Pike Place Market in Seattle by a family asking him if he was Rosie Grier or Barry White or one of the Isley Brothers, none of which he appreciated, and he was not amused. As the years continued, Jerry worked through numerous medical issues: diabetes, gout, amputation, surgeries (two heart valve replacements, gall bladder, fistula, and two hip replacements, as well as blood infections). Through it all he NEVER wavered in his trust, faith, and belief in God. His wife wishes to thank profusely, in Jerry's name, the staff at the St. Joseph Dialysis Unit, for 17 years of compassionate care; his nephrologist, Dr. June He, whom he adored; and her team at Pacific Nephrology Associates. He leaves to grieve his wife of 46 years, Judy Lynne Washington Wilkins; daughters LaVonne and Jamie Wilkins; brothers Eddie and James Wilkins, David and Ricky Lockridge, sister Della Mae Holmes; and special daughter Jacquie Doss; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and other extended family members and friends. If anyone deserves to rest in peace, it's Jerry Wilkins. He can never be replaced, and will always be missed. Jerry's homegoing celebration was at Shiloh Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Gregory Christopher, who always checked on him, visited, and prayed for him through all his tribulations. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Lakewood, WA on March 2, 2017.
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