John C. (Jake) Wilkinson II Obituary (1947 - 2022)

Born Oct 04, 1947, John C. (Jake) Wilkinson II attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about John C. (jake) Wilkinson Ii.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Birth	Oct 04, 1947
Date of Passing	Feb 01, 2022
About	John C. "Jake" Wilkinson II was born on October 4, 1947, and died on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Woodhaven Nursing Home in Montvale, Virginia. Jake was born in Charlottesville, Va., to John C. and "Ned" Dudley Wilkinson and grew up in Vinton, attending Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church and graduating from William Byrd High School (WBHS) where he won first place in the Virginia State Science Fair 1965. While excelling at Duke University, Jake's promising career and life plans were cut short by an automobile accident resulting in severe brain injury. Despite his disability, he lived independently for many years enjoying the Vinton community, music, traveling and visiting family. With age further impairing his memory, Jake moved to assisted living where he was known for his friendliness and enjoyment of meals. The family wishes to express appreciation to the employees of Woodhaven Nursing Home for their kindness to Jake and to Mrs. Sue Wertz and other WBHS classmates who kept in touch with him. Jake was predeceased by his beloved grandparents, Robert and Gladys Wilkinson; parents, Dr. John Wilkinson and Naoma D. Slone who helped provide for his care; grandparents, Mary Marshall and Robert Dudley who encouraged him; and beloved aunts and uncles. Survivors include his stepfather, Dolor Slone; sister, Susan and husband, Keith Brown, who were involved in his care; three half siblings Beth Wingfield and Robert and James Wilkinson; aunt Judith Dudley; plus, his cousins; James, Robert and Beth Craddock, Olga Ward, Mary Ann Michael and Charles and Richard Dudley; nieces Amanda Harrison and Adrienne Brown and extended family. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to funeral service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery in Hillsville, Va. at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia at (540) 344-1200. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.