Jim "Hairy" Wilkins
September 29, 1947 ~ April 8, 2020
Jim “Hairy” Wilkins
72 of Mooresville, passed away on April 8, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital, Mooresville. Jim was born September 29, 1947 in Mooresville, IN to the late Paul Wilkins and Joanne (Carpenter) Wilkins.
Jim grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Mooresville. He went on to complete his education at Vincennes University. Jim worked as an architect, woodworking as a business and a hobby as well as working for the Mooresville School Corporation in maintenance.
He was preceded in death by his wife and high school sweetheart, Gwynn “Herbie” (Swinney) Wilkins.
Survivors include children, Craig Wilkins (Cherie) of Mooresville, Kori Valbert (Wesley) of Martinsville, and C. Morgan Wilkins (Stephanie) of Mooresville; sister Paula Fulp; grandchildren, Harlie Sue Wilkins, Wade Valbert, Emmy Valbert, Millicent Wilkins, Abraham Wilkins and a girlfriend Karen Cochran.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, August 1st from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at The Farm.
Final arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Please visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing, he was a great guy. I have many memories of him from my childhood, and although I hadn’t seen him in quite a few years, I will always remember him as being a kind busybody, who was always willing to help out. Rest easy, Jim!
We are so sorry of Jim’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. He will be missed by all.
So sad to hear of Jim’s passing. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for many years. Every morning Jim would come into Neil Armstrong Elementary and have a funny story or two to share. He will be missed by so many. It’s comforting that Hairy and Herbie are together again. Marlene Gentry
I’m sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Hairy was a big part of my life growing up with Kori. I will always cherish my weekends with the Wilkins family. Hanging out in Junior High for cross country events to Hairy cooking on the grill for my 15th birthday. Jim will be missed by many. He was a fantastic father to all of his “adoptive” kids and a wonderful friend to me.
We are so very sorry for your loss. He was one of a kind and we will certainly miss him. I’m sure everyone who knew him has a “story” of his that they remember with a smile. Lowell and Carol Jones
Hairy always had a smile on his face and something funny to say. I will miss running into him at Northwood. Craig, Cherie, and Harlie, you are in my thoughts at this sad time.
I remember Hairy solving “weighing Pumpkins” crisis for Gwynn’s kindergarten and 5th grade helpers. Such a memory. ߒ•
My sincere condolences to Paula, Paul and Jim’s family. I know his loss will leave his family with a heavy heart.
There are several stories that come to mind, however, there is two that will make me smile for the rest of when I think about Jim. 1.) He loved his family so good. Everytime he would see Jadin (my daughter) he would say to her, “Have you smiled today girl?” And no matter what her mood, good or bad, happy or sad.. she would always have a smile for “Hairy”. 2.) He walked into Uncle Ricky’s showing this passed December wearing his long Santa socking cap. My small 4year old nephew when to run past him, when something caught his Little eye. He stopped dead in his tracks, backed up slowly, looked up at Jim, and whispered in the magical way only a child can , ” SANTA!” Jim looked down at my small nephew, Josh, and asked, “Have you been a good boy this year?” In reply, with the largest eyes ever seen on a boy, Josh looked up at Jim with his mouth gaping… and simply nodded. Totally speechless. You will be loved and missed dearly.
Jim was a great neighbor always willing to help. Always had a joke that made you smile. He will be missed. Larry & Belinda Doty
Jim had a special way of making a stressed teacher smile and stirring up a class full of students all at the same time. Some of my favorite Jim moments… Telling younger students he was Santa’s cousin. Telling kids he hated kids… and then proving he was a softy. Sharing pictures of his grandkids… drawings on a post-it he carried in his wallet. Eating candy off a teachers desk. Telling the children they were being awful childish. His hats… a special one for every occasion. Such a special man who is no doubt stirring things up in Heaven right about now. Wishing his family comfort and peace.
Hairy would come into the high school everyday & yell “it’s a beautiful day!” I once asked him “do you ever have a bad day?” His response was “I tried it once & I didn’t like it.” He could always bring a smile to my face even on a bad day. He will be missed forever more. RIP Jim ߙ
I first met Jim (Hairy) Wilkins when he was just 11 years old. He always had a mind of his own, and possessed a real talent working with wood. I always liked and respected Hairy, who started growing that famous beard in High School. Rest In Peace friend, you will be missed.
Sorry to hear of Jims passing ! He was a good neighbor and was always so kind . Thoughts and prayers are with you all. The family of Max Overpeck (Maggie and Trela )
I met Jim at the high school he would come in a say its a beautiful day. Gonna miss him he was a very nice man.
So sorry for your loss, i only met Hairy a couple times, but i felt like he didn’t know a stranger!!!! My condolences to karen and his children
So sorry to hear this what a great family the Wilkins, our children spent many nights in there home with there kids and I never had to worry about them. Prayers go out to there children and family
I have beautiful furniture in my home that he worked on for my mother Carolyn White. Over the years furniture was passed along in our family and now my son, daughter and both grandsons each have some in their homes, I have no doubt it will be shared with great grandchildren. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers are with the family
Our deepest condolences go out to Paula and her family! Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Our deepest condolences go out to Paula and her family! Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Jim was a sweet and funny guy, one who made the rest of us richer for knowing him. He will be greatly missed.
Harry will be so missed! It could be bitter cold and 12 below.. you could ALWAYS count on Harry saying “ IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY” Karen, all Jim’s children and grandchildren, I’m truly so sad for your loss. May everyone of you feel God’s loving embrace.
So sorry for the loss to Paula and the family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
RIP Hairy… wish you could see the outpouring of Love ❤️ that people has for you. We were truly blessed to have you as a part of our family and I thank God you showed Karen the Love she had never known before you… please continue to stay on her shoulder as she faces life without you ! ߒߒ”
Craig, Kori, Morgan, and the rest of the family. I am so sorry for your loss. Jim will forever hold a special spot in my heart! He always made me smile! Always made me laugh! Always had you wonder what he was going to do next! Lol! I loved working with him. Both my kids worked with him at IGA. They loved him. I can’t say enough good things about him. He will definitely be missed!!! You are all in my prayers ❤️
Kori, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know my thoughts are with you and your family always. Megan (Lynch) Sylvester
I will miss your funny sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my friend. I don’t think I’ll ever find another unique friend as you that had such a good humor about life
I worked with Jim, or I always called him “the Elf” because he always helping anyone who needed it , at MHS. Jim was always wearing different hats due to whatever season it was and always made you laugh!! He always looked for positive spin on any problem or situation that came around. As we all get older and move away, I will always have a good memory of him and see him standing there in his elf or his turkey hat Smiling!! God bless him and his family, he will definitely be missed!! ߙϰߏ۰ߘ°ߥ°
I will miss the mornings he would come to school leave the truck running with the door to pick up the mail and say “I hate kids lol and of course the kids would just laugh. And the way he always drew his face on anything he could. Leaving his mark. I will miss him so much. RIP Hairy
I am so sorry for your loss. Jim had so much character, humor, work ethic and zest for life to share with anyone in his path. My heart and prayers go out to Morgan, Stephanie and extended family. May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Jim was an exceptional man. Knew him in high school. Lots of good memories. He will be truly missed. RIP
There wasn’t ever a time that you would be around Jim and not have a lasting memory. Whether it be his shenanigans, his stories, his love for his family, and yes the occasional unhappiness with others…namely one of us kids who just did something he told us not to. I hope that everyone that knew him got to see his family photo that he carried in his wallet..stick figure characters..he was so proud of it, the fact that he rarely wore socks..even in his fanciest attire, and that he was always the man with a plan..if you were struck by lightning he new just what to do, place a light bulb in your hand and if it doesn’t light up then others are safe to touch you. He always knew just what to do and the memories he created will last through generations. Fly high Jim, “Hairy”, “Joe” you are going to be greatly missed. Our condolences go to Craig, Kori, and Morgan, may God grant you all peace and strength during this time.
Planted this Pine Tree in my yard in Memory of Jim! A wonderful man, with such a kind heart! We are going to miss you so much! – Jennifer @ State Farm and Bella M.