Shelby "Jack" Wilson

On July 20, 2014 Shelby Jack Wilson, age 84, passed away in Florida with his wife of 56 years, Deanna Sue Walters Wilson, at his side after nearly three years of battling cancer. He was a valiant warrior devoted to his wife and family and will be dearly missed by a host of lifelong Paola friends. Jack, as he was known to all, was born in Hillsdale, KS to Ned Loraine Wilson and Mamie Miller Wilson on March 3, 1930. A graduate of the Paola High School Class of 1948, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Offutt Air Base in Omaha, NB in the Intelligence Division and spent two years in Morocco before returning to Paola where he began a long career employed in the retail grocery businesses by Pence Grocery and Queen"s Price Chopper. After his marriage to "Sue" on November 10, 1958, they raised three children in Paola " all graduates of Paola High School and in 2009 endowed the Wilson Family Scholarship to provide a scholarship to graduating PHS seniors. Jack not only served his county but also his community. He worked and coached in the Paola Little League for over 17 years making a positive impact on Paola youngsters. In 2003 he and Sue retired to Florida where they enjoyed golfing, the gulf and great days in the sun, which he loved. Shown in this picture on one of his Florida patios, Jack always had a smile and a friendly "hello." Survivors include his cherished wife, Deanna "Sue" Wilson; his son, Scott A. Wilson of Orlando, FL; three grandsons, James Aaron Vasquez and Lake Wilson Vasquez of Paola and Dustin Y. Wilson and his spouse Helen and great grandson, Steven Jack Wilson, of Orlando, FL; a son-law Doug Staats and his three children Alayssa, Tanner and Nathan of Paola; and a nephew Richard Wilson of Osawatomie. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Wendy Wilson Staats and Kirk E. Wilson; brother, Robert G. Wilson and nephew, Robert Wilson. After cremation, Paola services will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions should be made to the Wilson Family Scholarship-USD 368 Endowment Fund. To share a memory of Jack or leave condolences for his family, please click the Share Memories button.