James Russell ‘Jim’ Wilson

James Russell “Jim” Wilson, age 57, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Wilson was born Feb. 28, 1956, in Georgetown, Ohio. He has lived in Oliver Springs since 1988.

Mr. Wilson loved his country and served in the United States Army. Before his disability, he was employed as a stamp press operator at Bauman and Harnish Rubber and Plastic Company in Garrett, Ind.

He was a rocket enthusiast and a member of the Great Smokey Mountain Rocket Club. He built rockets, made the rocket fuel, and often blasted them off into the sky. He was also an accomplished woodworker, and he enjoyed playing his guitar and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Wilson and Nora Hatfield Wilson Thomas; by his stepfather, Vernie Fred Thomas; by a brother, Freddie Thomas; and by a brother-in-law, Tom Behymer.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon Tucker Wilson of Oliver Springs; by brothers, Richard Thomas of Tucson, Ariz., Joe Wilson and wife Louise, and Larry Wilson and wife Penny, of Harriman; and by sisters, Wilma Jean Behymer of Lima, Ohio, Glenna Linville of Quincy, Fla., Patricia Stringfield and husband John, of Lima, Ohio, Rhonda Maples and husband Ronnie, of Harriman, Darlene Dyer and husband Jerry, of Oliver Springs, and Marlene Brock and husband Terry of Batavia, Ohio.

He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, extended family, friends, and a dog that he loved, Dobie.

The family received friends Friday, June 7, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m. at the Big Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. David Coffman and Pastor Ronnie Maples officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.