Dr. John E. Wilkins, Jr., 95, of Greenville passed away December 19, 2009 at his residence. Services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Ridgecrest Baptist Church under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Kevin Herbert and Mr. Newman Peters will officiate. A private graveside will be at Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until service time Tuesday at the church.
Dr. Wilkins was born on September 2, 1914 in Greenville to John E. and Mattie Williams Wilkins. On November 10, 1939, he married Elizabeth Hughes in Lone Oak; she preceded him in death in 2007. He served in the U. S. Army as a Captain. He graduated from Greenville High School and Texas A and M University and was a retired veterinarian after practicing in Greenville for many years. He was a charter member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.
Serving the Greenville area, he held positions on many boards and committees, was past mayor of Greenville, past school board president, past member of the Greenville Planning and Zoning Committee, former city judge, and voted Greenville Outstanding Citizen. He also served as past president of Texas State Veterinary Board and Chairman of the Board of former Citizens National Bank.
Survivors include his son John E. (Andy) Wilkins III and wife Wrynn of Denison; granddaughters Andrea Ferreira and husband Justin of Weatherford and Angela Kelly and husband Travis of Spring; great-grandson Maxton Wilkins Ferreira of Weatherford; niece Lisa Miller and son Tyler of Richardson; and daughter-in-law Janey Wilkins of Corpus Christi.
In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents, son, Richard Hughes Wilkins, and brother and sister Hal and Madge.
Pallbearers will be Mariann (Barkley) Andrews, Dee Hilton, Pud (Lauderdale) Kearnes, Sharon (Hackney) Leonard, Carol (Stephenson) Linkenauger, Wynn (Warren) Sikes, and
Marcia (Vallancey) Streiber.
Family request memorials be made to the Greenville Little League, c/o Joe Winniford, American National Bank, P. O. Box 8222, Greenville, Tx 75402.
