Tradesman carpenter and master grill chef Carl Wilkerson of Chickasha passed from this life on Dec. 3, 2024, surrounded by his wife and children who were strengthened by his courage and positive mindset. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Dec. 14, 2024, at Trinity Baptist Church in Chickasha.
A builder for Willowbrook, Inc., Wilkerson considered his colleagues family, and they reciprocated.
Armed with an unconquerable optimism, Wilkerson faced pancreatic cancer during the last nine months but refused to quit enjoying life and the friends who surrounded him. “His body quit, but he never did” is how the family tells his story.
Carl Wilkerson, Jr., was born to Carl Wilkerson and Dianna Mars on May 10, 1979, in Oklahoma City. He grew up there and met his wife, Amanda, when the two were in junior high. Eventually they married in 2001.
Wilkerson has been employed at Willowbrook since 2016. Before that, he worked in the oilfield for Cactus Drilling for 10 years and for the Alex Fire Department.
Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Amanda Wilkerson; son Gabriel Reyes; and daughter Kasey Wilkerson, all of Chickasha.
His favorite pastime was discovering new recipes, smoking meats and grilling meals for friends and family. He enjoyed woodworking and everything he could learn about his Irish heritage and culture.
Wilkerson had no greater joy than his family. He nicknamed Amanda “Beautiful” and shared his love for her and his children to anyone who would listen. He often urged Amanda to sing “The Smile on Your Face” by Alison Krauss. He considered his coworkers at the fire department and Willowbrook to be family and he celebrated them as such, even calling favorite coworkers and friends “grandpa” or “cousin” or “brother,” because of the long relationships.
He volunteered for the Grady County Emergency Management Office, and he donated his time to friends and strangers in need.
Honorary pallbearers include Gabriel Reyes, Frank Reyes, Robert Dye, John Zyks, Rodney Seat, Glenn Bartlett, John McCasland, Weston DeHart, Jeff McClure, Shelby Johnson, Dale Thompson, Brandi Whitehead Winters, Jesse Guerrero, Dale Smith, Kody Krawtzow and Kris Jacobs.
Wilkerson believed that a relationship with God comes through faith in Christ and not by his own virtues. He loved sharing laughter. He enjoyed old cartoons like “Tom and Jerry” and “Looney Tunes.” Halloween was his favorite holiday. He loved to whistle tunes and enjoyed songs that included whistling. He played Christmas music at high volume to ‘amp up’ the mood.
For anyone who wants an alternative to sending flowers, donations in Carl Wilkerson’s name may be to Valerie Lam of Chickasha who makes bears for deserving people in need. Checks can be made to Trinity Baptist Church.
Support was provided by Ferguson Funeral Home of Chickasha. Trinity is located at 428 E. Almar in Chickasha.