GETTYSBURG, SD – John R. Wilson, 80, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024, of natural causes at his home.
A celebration of life will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery with military honors. A prayer service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2024, at the church with visitation one hour prior.
John Richard Wilson was born on September 14, 1943, to John H. and Elizabeth (DeMay) Wilson in New York City, New York. The family lived in Princeton, New Jersey. While in school he was a member of the baseball team. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1961.
After one year at Newark College of Engineering, John enlisted in the United States Air Force rather than wait to be drafted. His time in the service led him to Ellsworth, Guam, southeast Asia, and finally back to Ellsworth. He often spoke of his time in the service but only recently was proud to be called a Vietnam Veteran. While stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, his family met him in Watertown, SD for pheasant hunting. Birds weren’t the only thing to be caught in his sights. This is where he met the love of his life, Christine Helene Dutt. After a long-distance courtship, they married on December 16, 1967.
John’s schooling and jobs led them to Minneapolis and Washington DC, where he worked at the Pentagon for three years. Eventually, he took a computer job that required him to travel, and since 1973 Gettysburg has been considered home. While on the road, he came upon an accident and didn’t know how to help. This prompted him to take the EMT class in 1982. He volunteered many hours to the Gettysburg Ambulance. He continued in the computer repair business until 1991. His career turned to public service when he began working for the Gettysburg Police Department and Potter County Sheriff’s Office. He often had a bucket of candy in his patrol car, and his theory was, “I’d rather have the kids in town running to the cop than away from the cop!” In 2001, he joined American Medical Response in Pierre as an EMT, retiring in 2009. While working for AMR he was honored to receive the Star of Life Award. Following retirement, he was always willing to help area farmers, local restaurants, the Sportsman’s Club, and he helped plant trees.
In their spare time, John and Chris enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and riding their motorcycle. They enjoyed spending time with family and preparing a feast. John had a knack for making a good whiskey sour, just like his dad. John and Chris enjoyed each other’s company and being together so much, that John died of a broken heart just 22 days after Chris passed away.
John is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Kevin) Kilian of Gettysburg; son, John H. (Melissa) Wilson of Berger, MO; grandchildren: Courtney (Carl) Van Aarde, Samantha Kilian, Shelby Kilian, Jacob (Kylie) Wilson, Allison Wilson, and Carson Kilian; great grandson, Archer Van Aarde; brother, Fred (Anita) Wilson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Bob (Denise) Dutt, Marilyn (Arnie) Haan, and Eric Neumann (Joe Plante); and his dogs, Rocki and Remi.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Chris on April 15, 2024; parents, John and Betty Wilson; father and mother-in-law, Milton and Hertha Dutt, and many four-legged companions.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with John’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)

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