David Austin Wilson, Jr.'s Obituary
David Austin Wilson, Jr.
David Austin Wilson, Jr. died Tuesday May 19, 2009 at his home in Warren, Oregon. He was born August 2 1928 in Eugene, Oregon, the second son of David A. and Gladys Goodman Wilson. The son of a butcher and trapper, he was raised in poverty during the Depression. His mother died when he was just three years old and he lived with various relatives near Eugene until moving to St. Helens in early 1942. Following in the footsteps of his father, at the age of 14, he began cutting meat for O.B. Click in St. Helens and the graduated from St. Helens High School in 1947. He also worked at various local butcher shops around the area until finally opening up his own custom meat cutting operation in Bachelor Flat around 1963.
He married Jean Louise Livengood in 1948, and together they had six sons. A long time member of the St. Helens Elks Club, he also coached little league, was a 4-H leader, and avid hunter and fisherman. He was passionate about the outdoors, and moved to Alaska in 1976, where he earned a pilot's license and satisfied a life long dream of owning an airplane. From a generation of men who could fix and build anything, Wilson loved working on his land, cleaning brush with his chainsaw, and sitting behind the controls of his caterpillar.
His infant son, John, preceded David in death. He is survived by his loving friend of 23 years Donna Rosling, sons Doug of St. Helens, Bryan of Scappoose, Matt of Lake Oswego, Frank of Madison, Wisconsin, and Tim of Claremont, California. He is also survived by his brother, Elton Wilson of Redmond, and by his sister, Yvonne Johnston of Oregon City, several nieces, nephews, 12 grandchildren, and one great grandson.
Well known for his rough and tumble personality, Dave held on to his quick wit until the end. Listen! Listen! Rip saw buzz saw… When the role is called up yonder, he'll be there.
A memorial service will be held Saturday June 6, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Warren Community Fellowship Church in Warren, Oregon. His cremated ashes will rest in the Yankton Cemetery and near Rock Creek in the Elkhorn Mountains of Northeastern Oregon.
Donations may be made to the Warren Community Fellowship Church.
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