WEEMS—John Cannon Wilson, 73, of Weems passed away on Tuesday, December 23, in his home by the Corrotoman River. He was surrounded by his family and the land that he loved.
Born April 14, 1952, to Charles Richard Wilson and Minna Cannon Wilson in Washington, D.C., John was the youngest of four siblings. He moved to the Northern Neck as a freshman in high school, returned following college, was married at St. Mary’s White Chapel, and by the time his children were born, he and the land affectionately called “Wilsonville” were inextricably linked.
John was a father, a papa, a loving partner, a gentle, kind, and absolutely selfless friend, a humanitarian, a naturalist, a writer, an editor, and throughout his lifetime cared for some of the luckiest pets in the world. His dog Beau, who believed the sun rose and fell around John, passed away just four months prior and is there, along with so many others, to welcome him home.
Most recently, John was the executive assistant at the Northern Neck – Middlesex Free Health Clinic and prior to being there spent a great portion of his career in the world of journalism as newspaper editor of both the Rappahannock Record and the Northumberland Echo.
He loved this land and this area and in the early 1980s authored The Northern Neck of Virginia, A Pictorial History while simultaneously working full time and being present with two small children. He was the valedictorian at Christchurch School (Class of 1970) and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington & Lee University in 1974 with a double major in English and Journalism.
Perhaps the most compelling and amazing part of John was the way he carried himself in this world. His kindness, compassion, patience, gentle and welcoming nature was a joyful respite for so many. He loved being in the woods—whether it was cutting wood, making obstacle courses with his family, designing zip lines, rope swings and tree houses, cutting new trails, walking with his pets, or watching the sunsets from his back deck. His patience and love for his family was profound. He always had time for backyard baseball and basketball games (most of which ended with hysterical laughter and the knowledge there was more to come), instilled a deep appreciation of the land and water into his children, and was unwavering in his support and love. Fully embracing life as “Papa” and “Pop J”, he took trips to Boone and Portland to celebrate his granddaughters’ growing accomplishments, kept them having fun and laughing hard, and also encouraged a love for the family home, the river and the woods.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Richard Wilson and Minna Cannon Wilson.
John is survived by his recently re-connected partner and mother of his children, Lauri Andre Wilson; son, Jesse Wilson (Elizabeth) and granddaughter Ariel Raine Wilson of Portland, Oregon; daughter Jenna Crawley (Ryan) and granddaughter Ayla Morgan Crawley of Boone, North Carolina; his siblings Minna Hall of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Richard “Dick” Wilson of King, North Carolina, and Mary Barry of Lexington, Kentucky; a multitude of nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by close friend Jeannie Nelson and his work family at the Northern Neck – Middlesex Free Health Clinic, his college friends, local friends, the friends of his children, and each and every person who came into contact with him and felt that love that he carried. John was a true and gentle light in the world. Shine on, John, shine on.
John’s arrangements are being handled by Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock. A memorial service is being planned in early spring for family, friends, and community members. Details will follow as the date is secured.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his honor to the Northern Neck – Middlesex Free Health Clinic, 51 William B. Graham Court, P.O. Box 1694, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Editor’s note: John Wilson’s legacy endures at the Rappahannock Record. He served as a mentor to all of the staff, and especially those of us who worked with him. We make decisions every day based on his advice—both in our professional duties as well as in our personal lives.
