Gerald Thomas Wilson

Dr. Gerald Thomas Wilson, 82, of Benton passed away on July 11, 2013 at Saline Memorial Hospital. Gerald Wilson, born and raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas and a Navy Veteran of the Korean War, was a 1958 graduate of Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He later graduated from Abilene Christian University with an MS degree in Physiology, and received a Ph.D. in Genetics from Kansas State University. He also completed postgraduate work at the University of Tennessee Medical School and postgraduate work in Immunology from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Dr. Wilson served on the faculty of Arkansas State University, Kansas State University, Abilene Christian University, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and was Dean of Science and Mathematics for 12 years at Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas while serving as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler. He also served as Medical Education Manager for Schering Corporation, an International Pharmaceutical Company in Kenilworth, N.J. Gerald was active in the Church of Christ in the various places he lived and is currently a member of Northside Church of Christ. Dr. Wilson was selected as "Boss of the Year" in Tyler, Texas in 1987 and was the recipient of a "Master Teacher" designation by the University of Texas, Austin in 1992. During his professional career, Dr. Wilson was a member of Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs, and a past member of Genetics Society of America, America Society of Microbiology, New York Academy of Science, and Texas Academy of Science. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanette of 59 years; parents, Herbert Qunicy Wilson and Phareta Pauline Wilson of Jonesboro Arkansas; one sister, Marilla Gill and two brothers, Herbert Wilson and Joe Wilson. Survived by his brother, Rev. J. Leon Wilson; two sons, John M. Wilson (Susan) of Benton, Arkansas and G. David Wilson (Denise) of Dallas, Texas; eight grandchildren, Aaron Wilson (Suzanne) of Cary, N.C., Christie Pinney (Dr. Ted) of Bryant, Arkansas and Julie Bittle (Matthew) of Benton, Arkansas, Melanie Jones (Colt), Brian Wilson, Brett Wilson, Lauren Dunlap and Alyssa Dunlap, all of Dallas, Texas; nine great-grandchildren, Chelsea Wilson, Bryce Wilson, Tyler Pinney, Tatum Pinney, Jackson Bittle, Molly Bittle, Brayden Wilson, Cohen Seaman and Gentry Jones and a host of family and friends who all loved him and will miss him dearly. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home, 4212 Hwy. 5. North Bryant, Arkansas on Sunday, July 14, 2013. Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Jonesboro at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Northside Church of Christ, 917 North East Street, Benton, Arkansas 72015 or Hot Springs Concert Band, P.O. Box 8667, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71909. To sign Gerald's online guest book visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.