1918
James
2008
James Wilkerson
August 17, 1918 — May 22, 2008
James Winters Wilkerson, 89, Mission Hills, Kansas, passed away May 22.
He was born on August 17, 1918, to William Ralph and Vashti Winters Wilkerson in Kansas City, Mo., where he spent his childhood and early adult years. He attended Border Star Elementary School and Southwest High School. He graduated from Kansas City Junior College and attended the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as an officer in World War II, and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. Mr. Wilkerson returned to Kansas City after the war, where he joined his father in business at Empire Cold Storage and Ice Company and began his career in warehousing and cold storage. He married Carrie Lee Reed in 1950, and together they raised three daughters in Mission Hills, Kan. In later years, they enjoyed winters at their home in Delray Beach, Fla. Mr. Wilkerson was affectionately known as Jamie to his closest friends, and as Jim to his many business associates. He was a highly respected businessman and entrepreneur who made an indelible mark in his industry. He served as President of Empire Cold Storage and Ice Company, Adams Distribution Services, Merritt Foods, where he patented the Bomb Pop, and JR&S Building Company. He played an active role in warehouse trade associations, and was president of both the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses and the Midwest Chapter of the American Warehouse Association. His passion for golf began while caddying for his father as a child and lasted his lifetime. He was a member of the Southwest High School golf team. He joined Indian Hills Country Club at the age of 16 as a junior member, won the IHCC Club Championship in 1955 and was the club's oldest living member at the time of his death. He played golf throughout the United States and Europe when he traveled for business, pleasure and trade functions. Mr. Wilkerson was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Mo., and the Vanguard Club. His social memberships included Indian Hills Country Club, The Kansas City Club, Country Club of Florida, Delray Beach Club, and Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Mr. Wilkerson was preceded in death by his siblings William Ralph Wilkerson, Jr., and Sarah Jane Woodson. He was a loving husband and father and is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carrie; daughters Wendie Birkholz (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Juli Wilkerson (San Diego, Calif.), Kristen Cunningham (Overland Park); son-in-law Stephen Cunningham and five grandchildren, Jordan and Blake Birkholz, and Karrie, Jamie and Sean Cunningham.
Memorial services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan., Monday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. Interment will be private at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Village Presbyterian Church or St. Luke's Hospice.
He was born on August 17, 1918, to William Ralph and Vashti Winters Wilkerson in Kansas City, Mo., where he spent his childhood and early adult years. He attended Border Star Elementary School and Southwest High School. He graduated from Kansas City Junior College and attended the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as an officer in World War II, and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. Mr. Wilkerson returned to Kansas City after the war, where he joined his father in business at Empire Cold Storage and Ice Company and began his career in warehousing and cold storage. He married Carrie Lee Reed in 1950, and together they raised three daughters in Mission Hills, Kan. In later years, they enjoyed winters at their home in Delray Beach, Fla. Mr. Wilkerson was affectionately known as Jamie to his closest friends, and as Jim to his many business associates. He was a highly respected businessman and entrepreneur who made an indelible mark in his industry. He served as President of Empire Cold Storage and Ice Company, Adams Distribution Services, Merritt Foods, where he patented the Bomb Pop, and JR&S Building Company. He played an active role in warehouse trade associations, and was president of both the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses and the Midwest Chapter of the American Warehouse Association. His passion for golf began while caddying for his father as a child and lasted his lifetime. He was a member of the Southwest High School golf team. He joined Indian Hills Country Club at the age of 16 as a junior member, won the IHCC Club Championship in 1955 and was the club's oldest living member at the time of his death. He played golf throughout the United States and Europe when he traveled for business, pleasure and trade functions. Mr. Wilkerson was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Mo., and the Vanguard Club. His social memberships included Indian Hills Country Club, The Kansas City Club, Country Club of Florida, Delray Beach Club, and Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Mr. Wilkerson was preceded in death by his siblings William Ralph Wilkerson, Jr., and Sarah Jane Woodson. He was a loving husband and father and is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carrie; daughters Wendie Birkholz (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Juli Wilkerson (San Diego, Calif.), Kristen Cunningham (Overland Park); son-in-law Stephen Cunningham and five grandchildren, Jordan and Blake Birkholz, and Karrie, Jamie and Sean Cunningham.
Memorial services will be held at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan., Monday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. Interment will be private at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Village Presbyterian Church or St. Luke's Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Wilkerson, please visit our flower store.