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Tommy Joe Wilson, loving husband, father, brother and friend, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on May 30th, 2024, at the age of 81. Tommy was born on August 27th, 1942, in Conway, Arkansas at the Clinic on Front Street, to the late David Harold and Mary Jewel Wilson. He attended Hendrix College and graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) and the University of Arkansas.

Joe was a devoted husband to his wife, Charla Jean Wilson, of 59 years and a loving father to his three children, Todd (Mary), Kelton, and JoDee (Tim), five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, David (Judy), and a sister, Billie (Bill). And is survived by his brother Charles (Beth) and Bob (Paula). He was a kind and gentle soul who always went above and beyond to provide for his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joe served the De Soto and Jefferson County Missouri area for many years. He retired from Jefferson College where he taught Public Speaking, Theatre, and other Communications courses. He also directed dozens of plays while at Jefferson College. He was active in the De Soto Elks Chapter and at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in De Soto where he served in the choir and in several committee leadership positions. Joe enjoyed the outdoors and was a scratch golfer, hunter, and fisherman. He particularly enjoyed chasing smallmouth in his Ozark streams. His intellectual curiosity went beyond the theatre and classroom. An example, Joe spent a summer working on the early archeological digs at Mastodon State Park. Humble in nature he preferred not to burden or inconvenience others but was willing to say “no” when necessary. Joe will be remembered as a compassionate and generous man. Picking up the occasional hitchhiking student was not an unusual event

As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Music Department, 1004 Rock Road, De Soto, MO  63020