Cary John Wilson

  Cary John Wilson, 81, passed away September 29, 2024, at his home in Wamego, Kansas, surrounded by his family. 

  Cary was born December 19, 1942, in Dodge City, Kansas, as the only child and son of John D. and Lydia E. (Ochs-Herzberg) Wilson. 

  Cary grew up on his family’s farm north of Dodge City and graduated from Dodge City High School in 1960. He was baptized as a child and was a lifetime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Dodge City. Upon high school graduation, he farmed and raised cattle with his father. He was a farmer, stockman, and entrepreneur his entire life. He moved from the farm in Hodgeman County to Wamego in 2011 to be closer to his grandchildren. 

  Cary was drafted and proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1964 to 1969 during the Vietnam era. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the American Legion. He also served on the Dodge City Cooperative Board for 18 years and the Jetmore School Board for eight years. 

  As a young adult, Cary owned and raced sprint cars. He enjoyed horseback riding. He was a regular and committed universal blood donor, giving more than 13 gallons of O-negative blood. He loved sports and was a franchise-lifetime Kansas City Chiefs and KC Royals fan. He was also a K-State Wildcats fan and, for years, attended K-State football, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball games. He enjoyed playing cards and loved pets, especially dogs. A favorite pastime was watching movies, especially Western, military, and war-themed ones. 

  But what Cary cherished the most were his seven grandchildren. He watched them participate in sports, dance, band, piano, art, airplane flying, mountain biking, and horseback riding. He loved having his grandchildren visit and was extremely proud of each and every one of them. He loved to share stories about his grandchildren with everyone. 

  Cary was a spirited and strong soul; he beat life-threatening staph infection in 2011 and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer in 2014. He was well known for calling and singing his own special rendition of Happy Birthday to family and friends on their birthdays.

  On November 17, 1968, Cary married the love of his life, Sandra E. Wallis, in Dodge City; they celebrated 55 years of marriage. Sandra survives at their home.

  Cary is also survived by his three daughters, Christine Wilson (Eric Coates) from West Lafayette, Indiana, Jill Andrews (Brian) from Austin, Minnesota, and Angie Jones (Brad) from Wamego; seven grandchildren, Christopher and Evan Coates from West Lafayette; Mackenzie and Brayden Andrews from Austin; and Cassie, Ali, and Bethany Jones from Wamego; and one aunt, Lola F. (Wilson) Hess from Loveland, Colorado. 

  Cary was preceded in death by his parents. 

  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego. Military Honors will be presented during the service by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail and the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172. The family will greet visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Honor Flight Network or the Disabled American Veterans. Those may be sent to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.

  A graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, at a later date. Cassie Jones will pilot Cary on his own private honor flight to his final resting place.