James “Jim” Edward Wilson passed away peacefully on June 26, 2021 at the age of 84.   He was born February 28, 1937 in Medford, Massachusetts to Robert and Regina Wilson.  Jim spent his early years in Billerica, Massachusetts and graduated from Howe High School in 1955. 
    
He went on to live an adventurous life beginning with his service in the United States Navy in 1955.  He served extended tours in Hawaii and Japan.  He met his sweetheart, Maura Louise Smith from Lowell, Massachusetts, and they married in Yokohama, Japan on the 4th of July, 1963.

As Jim and Maura started their new family, Jim chose to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1965 where he was stationed at Luke AFB in Phoenix, Arizona and Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas.  He served honorably in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.   He was a respected meteorologist in both the Navy and the Air Force.  He retired from the Air Force in 1975.

While serving in the Air Force at Luke AFB, he often briefed Colonel Frank Borman, future Apollo astronaut, as he took trips from Luke AFB to Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

After retirement, he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico and attended NMSU receiving a degree in Fine Arts.  He eventually settled in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he worked with the New Mexico Employment office and the United States Post Office.  He was a member of Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church in La Luz, New Mexico.  He enjoyed many years of retirement in Alamogordo, where he made numerous friends and shared his fun-loving spirit with everyone he met.  He was a passionate fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the Boston Red Sox and Star Trek.  He also authored two successful books while he was in his 80’s which highlighted many amusing stories and adventures of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maura Louise Wilson; three sons, James (Rebecca) Wilson of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Gary (Monica) Wilson, and Glen Wilson of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandsons, Patrick and Dakota; granddaughters, Brianna and Chelsea; great grandson, Ryan and great granddaughter, Stevie. 

The funeral service to honor Jim Wilson will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1404 College Ave., Alamogordo, NM, on Friday, July 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Visitation at 9:30 a.m., a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and a Graveside Service at Monte Vista Cemetery, 1590 E. First Street, Alamogordo, NM at 12:15 p.m.

The Wilson family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.