James Leroy Wilkinson

Sumter, SC…. James Leroy Wilkinson, age 79, beloved husband to Marla Kay Wilkinson, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

James was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, son of the late Bruce Leroy Wilkinson and the late Joyce Audrey Molde Wilkinson. He received his BA in Management at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN, where he met his wife, Gloria of 53 years. He earned his Master’s in Business Administration and Personnel Management from Golden Gate University of San Francisco, CA.

He served 23 years in the Air Force as a helicopter pilot and squadron commander, including a tour in Vietnam. Jim concluded his service in SC where he retired in Sumter. He enjoyed a second career as owner of Summit Auto Sales for 16 years. He was an active member of Aldersgate UMC where he and Gloria were beloved members of the Wesley Sunday School Class. He also served as a dedicated chair and member of several committees. It is at Aldersgate where he met and married his wife Marla many years later. In Jim’s spare time he enjoyed playing golf, board games, and several lively hands of poker.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. James will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife, James is survived by his sons; Brian Wilkinson and his wife Betsy of Columbia, SC,  and Jeff Wilkinson and his wife Jacqui of Charlotte, NC; a step-son, Richard Sweeney and his wife Kate of Kansas City, MO; a step-daughter, Amanda Sweeney of Spartanburg, SC; a brother, John Wilkinson of FL; a sister,  Judy Wilkinson of CA; four grandchildren, Matthew, Jacob, Jordan and Jackson; and two step-grandchildren, Hamza Hussain and William Sweeney.

In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria Mae Nyberg Wilkinson.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wes Conner officiating.  The Interment will follow the service at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 pm with full military honors.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 11:00-12:00 pm, at Bullock Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers: Memorials may be made in his loving memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com to sign the family's guestbook.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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