James A. Wilson, Sr.

James A. Wilson, Sr., age 77, entered glory on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw. Jim was born October 28, 1935 in Wyandotte, Michigan the son of the late Frank E. & Viola Grace (Crossett) Wilson. As a young man, Jim worked as a brakeman on the New York Central Railroad, a dragline operator with the Tuscola County Road Commission, and as a skilled-trade journeyman welder for General Motors. Due to his son, Jamie's 1976 tragic car accident, he and his wife, Dorothea founded and continued to operate The Lighthouse, Inc. The Lighthouse Neurological Rehabilitation serves children and adults with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, autism and developmental disabilities. Jim's walk with his Savior, Jesus, began May 30, 1962. Caro's First Baptist pastor, Olaf Jensen, led him in a salvation prayer in the Jacob Road farm pasture. He was then baptized during the Bible school closing program. He ministered as a Boy's Brigade leader, a Sunday school teacher and SS bus driver, a youth group leader and the jail ministry. He sang hymns, played his guitar and shared his faith for seventeen years to the residents at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility. Jim loved his family. He enjoyed his dogs, hunting, fishing, euchre, guitar playing, inventing, traveling and his mandatory McDonald's morning senior coffee with his family. Jim is survived by his wife of over fifty-eight years, Dorothea G. Wilson of Caro; two daughters, five sons and their spouses, Vicky & Kevin Phelps of Lexington, Kentucky, Yvonne Wagner of Northville, Keith & Terri Wilson of Caro, Mark & Monserrat Wilson of Kingsley, Michael Wilson of Essexville, Terry & Mandy Wilson of Caro, Luke & Jamie Wilson of Caro; eighteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva Mae Witte of Brownstown Township; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, James A. "Jamie" Wilson, Jr. on February 21, 1989; one grandson, Gary Stonerock on December 24, 2006; and one great-grandson, Eric Daniel Engram on February 16, 2004; three sisters, Gladys "Betty" Gratiot, Alice Jean Peer, Dorothea Grace Wilson; and one brother, Frank E. Wilson, Jr. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Caro First Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Byers, a retired Chaplain for the Lighthouse, and Rev. Ron Wigand officiating. A private family burial will follow at the Almer Township Cemetery in Caro. The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, 7305 Grand River Avenue, Suite 100, Brighton, MI 48114 or Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com. Visitation Information Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Time: 11:00 am First Baptist Church of Caro Address: 989-673-3545 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Caro First Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Byers, a retired Chaplain for the Lighthouse, and Rev. Ron Wigand officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Almer Township Cemetery Caro, Michigan 48723