James Wilkie

James Earl Wilkie died on May 28, 2022 at the age of 96. He was born on May 26, 1926 to Earl and Mildred Wilkie in Toledo, Ohio, where they lived until moving to Lambertville, Michigan in the 1930s. He graduated from Lambertville High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy, where he was stationed at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida and served as a radio-radar operator and gunner in a two-man dive bomber. Upon discharge in 1945, Jim enrolled at the University of Toledo and received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1949 he married Lenora Jurgenson and began work at the F.C. Richardson Company, eventually becoming president and owner of the business in 1965 and changing the name to the Wilkie-Duston Company. He was later joined in the business by his son, Bob, and daughter, Diane, and the business name became Wilkie and Associates.

Jim was a registered professional engineer and a member of the Toledo Society, the Ohio Society, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was also a member and past president of the Toledo chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. He was an avid Rotarian, enjoying a 35-year membership in the Toledo Rotary Club and a 10-year membership in the Fort Myers East Rotary Club.

Jim enjoyed golfing, especially with his son, Bob, oil and watercolor painting, pen and ink drawing, and traveling. He was an avid duplicate bridge player with Lenora, winning numerous tournaments. He ran in 10K races and was a serious walker, logging nearly 1,000 miles a year several times at Wildwood Metropark in Toledo. He sang tenor in a barbershop quartet and said that the bravest thing he ever did was to sing in the quartet during tomato season. Game nights at home with children and grandchildren were serious affairs, and the source of much laughter.

Jim was predeceased by his parents Earl and Mildred, sister Carol Haugh, wife Lenora, and son Robert. He is survived by daughter Karen (Larry) Bowman, daughter Diane Wilkie (Gene) Smith, and daughter-in-law Kelly Wilkie. He is also survived by grandchildren Megan McLennan, Kyle (Katherine) McLennan, Brian (Megan) McLennan, Nathan (Anna) Smith, Adam (Lauryn Ritenour) Smith, Patrick (Jessica) Smith, Kendall Smith, Tyler Wilkie, Allison (Kyle) Osborne, Elizabeth Wilkie, Nicole (Brad) Clift, and twelve great-grandchildren.

The family will receive guests Sunday, June 5, 2022 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - West Sylvania Chapel, 3655 King Road (419-392-9500). Funeral Services will begin Monday at 10:30 am. at the funeral home followed by Entombment at the Chapel of Peace in Toledo Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society in James's memory.

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