James Wilson

James Walter Wilson, “Froggy” was born on July 18, 1919 to William Clayton Wilson “Jake” and Eleanor Beatrice Blaker Wilson. James graduated from the Rosston High School with the Class of 1941. November 1941 just one month prior to Pearl Harbor, James was drafted for compulsory military service.  In 1943, he was able to make fifty dollars extra per month for “hazard pay” by joining the paratroopers and the 11th Airborne.  They spearheaded the invasion of Luzon six days before they made the beachhead landing.  He also participated in the famous Raid at Los Baños resulting in the liberation of 2,147 Allied civilian and military internees from an agricultural school campus turned Japanese internment camp.  James served through the end of 1945 in the Philippines, Japan and New Guinea. James received his Honorable Discharge December 1945. James worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation-ODOT for 41 years.  The later portion of his tenure with ODOT was spent in Guymon/Texas County.

James married Jollivet “Jolly” Cotter on January 1, 1992.  James and Jolly spent their winters in Arizona for 15 years.  They traveled together for many years and saw all the states except Alaska and Hawaii.  James enjoyed hunting, fishing and tending his garden.  Much of their time spent together was filled with preparing his fresh garden items to be share with neighbors, friends and family. On June 19, 2014 James left his earthly home to be with his Lord and Savior.  James is proceeded in death by his parents; sisters, Estella Stone, Marie Leavitt; two brothers, Elba Wilson, Billy Wilson; step dad Ben Kirk; stepson, Gary L. Cotter; and step-granddaughter, Dusty Lynn Cotter. He leaves to mourn his wife Jolly of the home, grandchildren Brandon Cotter and wife Shannon,  Misty Landry and husband Eddie;  Great-grandchildren Preston, Avery, Jenson and Colson Cotter; Sophia, Allison and Brett Landry.  Daughter-n-law, Bonnie Lucas and husband Tom;  sister, Shirley Cathcart; brother-in-law, Earl Leavitt; nieces and nephews, other family and many many friends.