Jesse Wilson

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Jesse W. Wilson passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, in Joplin, Missouri at the age of 89. Jesse was born to John Willis “Cracker” Wilson and Clara (Retherford) Wilson on February 28, 1934, on a farm north of Mehan, Oklahoma, the place his grandpa homesteaded. 

Jesse attended Ripley Schools and was a graduate of the 1954 class of Ripley High School. Jesse enjoyed playing all sports and was a 4-year letterman in both basketball and baseball. His favorite subject was math. 

Jesse met his wife, Greta McVay, at Dunkin Theatre in Cushing, Ok. Their first date was a squirrel hunting trip on the river. Jesse and Greta united in marriage on March 19, 1955, in Cushing.

In 1956, Jesse joined the U.S. Navy, and was stationed at Moffet Field Air Station in Mountain View, California. He later transferred to the USS Renville APA Attack Transport Ship as a technical radioman during the Korean War. 

Following his service in the Navy, Jesse returned to his wife in Cushing, where he worked various jobs until he later became a maintenance foreman for Shell Pipeline for 27 years. Jesse and Greta lived in Oklahoma, Ohio and Missouri during his Shell career until he retired in 1996. 

After retirement, Jesse enjoyed spending his time fishing with his grandkids, gardening and woodworking. He loved spending his days out in his barn and took serious pride in his yard work. Jesse was awarded “Yard of the Week” multiple times, where it became talk of the local barbershop. He was a proud member of Cushing, Oklahoma’s Donaldson-Walker American Legion Post 108, where he served as part of the honor guard.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Greta, of the home. Two children, Erin McMullen (Jeff) of Joplin, Mo. and Samantha Fowler (Steve) of Webb City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Daniel Judy of Joplin, Mo., Jessie McMullen of Joplin, Mo., Matthew McMullen of Denver, Co. and Hannah Woodcock of Springfield, Mo.; one sister, Darlene Kinzie of Arkansas City, Ks.; numerous nieces and nephews and beloved sisters-in-law. 

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Cracker and Clara; brothers, Winfred C. Evans, Lang Allen Wilson and Gary R. Wilson; sisters, Peggy Murlin and Lydia Ann Minton; his in-laws, Willard and Ruth McVay; cherished brothers and sisters-in-law; and a nephew and many cousins.

Graveyard services will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ripley, Ok.