James Darwin Wilson
June 25, 1943 ~ November 2, 2015
James Darwin "Jim" Wilson, 72, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday November 2, 2015, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on June 25th, 1943, to Wayne and Neva Wilson in Spencer Iowa.
Jim Wilson married Marsha Hubacher on August 17th 1969, in Estherville, Iowa.
Jim graduated high school in Milford, Iowa. He received a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Zoology from Iowa State University. He studied and worked along with his wife Marsha in Iowa, Colorado, and California before living in Missouri.
For 24 years, Jim was the state ornithologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. During this time he reintroduced and protected bald eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys and trumpeter swans in the state of Missouri. He enjoyed studying the birds of Missouri and educating the public through publications, television programs, and presentations.
From his early youth, he was an artist and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated many articles for the Missouri Conservationist Magazine. Using his extensive experience as an ornithologist, he authored two bird identification books, illustrating over 90 species with his own paintings. After retiring from the Conservation Department, Jim's desire to educate led him to teach biology courses, first at William Woods University and later at Columbia College.
Jim was an avid traveler, visiting every state in the union and over 35 countries across five continents. He loved to learn and sought to understand his place in the natural world as well as his place in history through genealogy.
A lover of the outdoors, Jim was active with his two sons in the Boy Scouts. And he enjoyed everything from floating the rivers of Missouri and the fjords of New Zealand, to hiking the moors of Yorkshire.
He enjoyed sharing his love of nature through presenting bird programs and leading bird walks around Missouri as well as many naturalist tours to Costa Rica. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, MO and a board member of the River Bluffs Audubon Society.
Jim will be remembered as an avid naturalist and constant educator. He was also a world traveler, musician, writer, dedicated husband, father and friend.
He will be missed enormously by his wife Marsha of Jefferson City and sons Christopher (fiance Megan Hussey) of Columbia and Corey of Dalian, China; three brothers, Wendell Wilson, South Carolina; Bryce Wilson, Texas; Keith Wilson, Iowa. His enthusiasm for the natural world will live on through the many lives he has touched.
Visitation will be 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Services will be 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with the Rev. Keith Vessell officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Missouri Prairie Foundation, P.O. Box 200, Columbia, MO 65205 http://www.moprairie.org/donate; or the Prairie Garden Trust, 3914 Foxdale Rd., New Bloomfield, MO 65063 http://prairiegardentrust.org/about/support-us.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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This is hard to hear. This man was so very special to me and my family. Many hikes and floats. He was incredible. We ended up teaching together at William Woods University. I learned a lot about nature from this man. He gave me a greater sense and love of creation. I know that he will be well received in heaven. Prayers and blessings to Marsha and those two fine sons along with the entire family. Chris, we will see Alan this Thursday in California and discuss this in great detail. Remember to look at all the glorious natural things on your hike. You will your dad every where. – Murph and Linda Tetley
Here is a video for Jim and family plus friends. – Murphy Tetley
https://youtu.be/R_2gHms0o4Q
Here is a video for Jim and family plus friends. – Murphy Tetley
https://youtu.be/R_2gHms0o4Q
I was saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Jim D. Wilson. We were colleagues and friends at the Missouri Dept. of Conservation for years. Later I guest taught two classes on cave life and bats for his students at William Woods, and I took him and his Columbia College class caving, a rewarding experience. He was a great guy and a wonderful naturalist. I regret that I will not be back in time for his service, as we must attend another funeral in Kansas this week. My condolences to Jim’s family. William R. “Bill” Elliott.
Julie and I will miss Jim D. for the rest of our lives. Marsha, Chris and Corey: your Dad was special. Yes, he really was. Oooooh! here’s the deal: Jim was always so open, sweet, excited and so engaging as he shared his knowledge and taught us about birds, nature and natural history. There will never be another Jim D. Wilson. The world was a better place because of him. Rest in peace, Jim.
Marsha-I am so sorry to learn of Jim\’s passing.
Marsha-I am so sorry to learn of Jim\’s passing.
Marsha —
I was saddened and upset to hear that Jim had passed away. I am so sorry.
I will always remember Jim as one of the truly nice people that I met when I first arrived at the Department. He was always positive and enthusiastic…I really appreciated that. Being a fellow Iowa Stater and being from Milford, IA (near the lake where I did my graduate work), Jim had connections to my experiences that made it easy to talk to him. He really helped me feel at home with the Department.
Jim retired from the Department, but he never retired from being a biologist and teacher…I really admired his energy and devotion.
I will always have fond memories of Jim.
I hope that the your memories of your lifetime of shared experiences and the warm feelings that come with those memories will help you get through this tough time.
With deepest sympathy,
Marlyn
Marsha —
I was saddened and upset to hear that Jim had passed away. I am so sorry.
I will always remember Jim as one of the truly nice people that I met when I first arrived at the Department. He was always positive and enthusiastic…I really appreciated that. Being a fellow Iowa Stater and being from Milford, IA (near the lake where I did my graduate work), Jim had connections to my experiences that made it easy to talk to him. He really helped me feel at home with the Department.
Jim retired from the Department, but he never retired from being a biologist and teacher…I really admired his energy and devotion.
I will always have fond memories of Jim.
I hope that the your memories of your lifetime of shared experiences and the warm feelings that come with those memories will help you get through this tough time.
With deepest sympathy,
Marlyn
Marsha and Family . . . So sorry to hear that Jim died. I enjoyed knowing him and learning from him when we worked together at MDC. He was always so willing to share his love of birds and nature. He lives on in what we learned from him. –Cheryl Riley & Jim Cooper
Jim was the best of men. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all those fortunate enough to have had their lives enriched by him.
I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s death. He was a good friend and colleague. I’ll miss him a lot.
Beautiful video and tribute to Jim. Thank you.
Marsha, Chris, Corey and the whole family, we join with you in immense sadness for losing Jim. What a sweet and caring, talented and passionate educator of a man he was! Tom and I count ourselves as fortunate to have known and spent time with him. The world lost him WAY too soon.
Jim must have been wise early on; first on the list for achieving happiness is to marry the right person. He did, Marsha.
Corey and Chris, he was so proud of both of you. Keep it up.
Though I’m not a person of faith, I prefer to think Jim is enjoying a bird walk right now with Jean and Jack in some Elysian Fields. No doubt, he and Jack are cussing the low quail population. Then, again, could be the habitat’s better there. Who knows!?
Marsha, Chris, Corey and the whole family, we join with you in immense sadness for losing Jim. What a sweet and caring, talented and passionate educator of a man he was! Tom and I count ourselves as fortunate to have known and spent time with him. The world lost him WAY too soon.
Jim must have been wise early on; first on the list for achieving happiness is to marry the right person. He did, Marsha.
Corey and Chris, he was so proud of both of you. Keep it up.
Though I’m not a person of faith, I prefer to think Jim is enjoying a bird walk right now with Jean and Jack in some Elysian Fields. No doubt, he and Jack are cussing the low quail population. Then, again, could be the habitat’s better there. Who knows!?
I am so thankful that Jim was able to show me the resplendent quetzal in Costa Rica. I will never forget that wonderful trip … or Jim. I am sure he has his own resplendent wings now. Jeanette de la Torre
We are so sorry to hear of your loss! Our prayers go out for all of you. Back in 2001 we puchased one of Jim’s books for our daughter. He asked her what her favorite bird was. Her answer was the loon. He immediately pulled out a few pens and quickly and beautifully drew a loon for her before he autographed the book. Last week in telling our daughter of Jim’s passing, she instantly recalled that story and commented what a special man he was to do something like that for a 13 year old girl. Thank you, Jim, for sharing your gifts and talents with us. Your memory will stay with us.
Marsha, Chris, Corey and your extended family,
We are devastated at your loss! My first thought is how proud he was of each of you! Jim was such a VITAL, ALIVE person, always eager to learn new things and to travel to new places. He was a dear friend and valuable colleague at WWU for many years. He loved teaching and patiently encouraged many young people to pursue their education, treating them with kindness and respect. He was passionate about everything he did, especially the natural environment. His contributions as MO State Ornithologist were numerous. He was also a talented artist and illustrator. He was always generous in sharing his knowledge and talents in leading bird hikes and speaking to community groups. His legacy will live on in so many ways and places. But he will be deeply missed.
Marsha, Chris, Corey and your extended family,
We are devastated at your loss! My first thought is how proud he was of each of you! Jim was such a VITAL, ALIVE person, always eager to learn new things and to travel to new places. He was a dear friend and valuable colleague at WWU for many years. He loved teaching and patiently encouraged many young people to pursue their education, treating them with kindness and respect. He was passionate about everything he did, especially the natural environment. His contributions as MO State Ornithologist were numerous. He was also a talented artist and illustrator. He was always generous in sharing his knowledge and talents in leading bird hikes and speaking to community groups. His legacy will live on in so many ways and places. But he will be deeply missed.
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Jim. As a former Conservation Department employee, I remember when we both had much darker hair. But mostly I will remember him for being a friendly guy who was dedicated to his profession. I will think of him every time I use the copy of Common Birds of North America he signed for me in 2002.
Jim was a wonderful person and an excellent biologist. When I lived in Missouri 1988-1991 he welcomed me and helped me enjoy the state’s birds. I remember him fondly.