James Monroe "Jimmy" Wilson

James Monroe (Jimmy) Wilson passed away peacefully Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, at his home in Sycamore. Jimmy was born on February 3, 1933 to the late J.R. and Irene Bell Wilson in Sycamore, GA. He was the last surviving member of his Sycamore High School graduating class. After graduating, he served his country in the United States Army during the time of the Korean conflict. Soon after his discharge from the Army, he used the training the Army provided and worked at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins in the Civil Service sector.

After a few years, Jimmy relocated to Florida and began working for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center. He worked primarily on the Mercury project. He was mainly involved in the areas of communications, telemetry, and tracking. In the mid-sixties, his lifelong friend, John Lloyd, needed an electronics instructor at a new technical school, Lanier Tech, being built in Oakwood, GA. John convinced him to leave the space program to teach. After ten years of teaching, he returned to Turner County to pursue his passion for farming. For the next twenty years, he farmed peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans, watermelons, cantaloupes, and livestock. His children will tell you he just did not seem to know when to stop planting watermelons and cantaloupes. He always had to plant the “late patch”.

In the early eighties, Jimmy contracted an autoimmune disorder (Guillain-Barre syndrome) which affected his mobility. As water carves stone, not through its strength, but through its persistence, Jimmy’s determination enabled him to fight and adapt to his immobility. After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and would still continue to have a patch of cantaloupes. He also created a small citrus grove which he maintained for several years. Genealogy was a passion he pursued and often traveled the state locating the graves of his ancestors. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sycamore.

He is survived by his children Russell Wilson of Warwick, Belinda Rowan of Tifton, Keith (Flavia) Wilson of Olathe KS, and Rodney (Suzanne) Wilson of Albany; grandchildren Jamie (Medford) McDonald of Hawkinsville, Rusty Wilson of Tifton, Riley Wilson of Iowa City IA, Tyler Wilson of Kansas City MO, and Lorenzo Wilson of Olathe KS; great-grandchild Ava Wilson of Tifton; all of his siblings Geneva Baker of Georgetown SC, Faye Segler of Albany, Ray (Annette) Wilson of Sycamore, Gene (Lynn) Wilson of Brunswick, and Larry (Emmy) Wilson of LaGrange; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Patsy Wilson; son-in-law, Larry Rowan; and grandson, Jody Rowan.

A graveside funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM in Bethel Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Perry Funeral Chapel.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the multitude of sitters that have helped care for Mr. Jimmy over the past three years and to Tiftarea Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion given.