John Philip Wilkinson's Obituary
John Philip Wilkinson, 80, resident of Miami, Florida, passed away on August 12th of 2020.
Today we say goodbye to the only child of Philip Wilkinson of Chesterfield England and Mary Elgin Galloway of Jefferson Georgia.
The world will long remember their son’s legacy….as devoted to God & Country; the soul of the Republican Party. Religious, soft spoken-reserved, highly intelligent, historian, a military historian at that; humorous at times, ethical, honest, enthusiastic for Trains, Guns….and Darn passionate of the Catholic Channel & the Fox News Network!
John was truly American Pie!
But those of who loved him; and ache his passing, I knew John professionally but personally was a bit of a puzzle….
Who was John Philip Wilkinson:
Born at University Hospital 2/12/40, 5310 Alton Rd. Miami Beach…later to 321 NW 1st, then, to Miami Shores…he attended Miami High.
Miami Shores; Yes…John endured a living hell….neighbors to the Brady Bunch (Longman’s)…. since moving back to Miami Shores in 1975.
John was raised by his 2 aunts: Irene Galloway Pearson, Beryl Galloway and his Mother: Mary Galloway Wilkinson. He often mentioned them, but it was his Uncle James Galloway whom mentored John and looked up to…. His Father was absent from John’s life.
I discovered….through tons of letters, post cards & pictures revolved around John’s Mother side, the Galloways…during the “Roaring 20’s in ole’ Miami” after leaving Georgia.
Father: Lieutenant Philip Wilkinson of the British Navy came to Miami in 1930 aboard the HMS Durban during a tropic cruise. During that visit he met Miss Mary Galloway, the sister of James W. Galloway and they were married in the summer of 1934. In February 1935, a visit aboard this gunboat was really a honeymoon for John’s parents. For Lieut. Wilkinson, was on leave from his duties in the British Navy….
Mother: Mary Elgin Galloway, were decedents from rich Southern hospitality of Jefferson Georgia. The Galloways were rich in History; Stranraer Scotland- some of Britain’s oldest territory, and certainly its loveliest lies in the quiet providence of Galloway, a southwest corner of Scotland. Home of Sir Walter Scott, the novelist and battles fought with Robert Bruce from the movie: Braveheart.
Passions:
Church: John was a devoted Catholic, although baptized and confirmed an Episcopalian and later converted to Catholicism, Bob Longman was his sponsor approx. 8 to 10 years ago.
Sue: “He wanted to become Catholic, he didn’t like the fact that women could become Priests…”
Father Wilfredo:
“I observed a very devout, Catholic man that attended Mass every day. He often would be one of the first ones in the Chapel ahead of everyone else to pray the Rosary and then join the community for Morning Prayer."
He eventually joined the Knights of Columbus becoming one of the Original founding members (2013) along with Robert Longman and Mike Palma….when St. Martha Council 15858 was started.
His name is on the Charter in one of the pillars inside the church of St. Martha. His participation in Mass and the Group meetings had to be suspended once he was admitted into his Jewish Home.
He loved watching EWTN and was a homebody. He never liked going out other than to Church.
TL: John had more bibles in his house then in Rome….
Trains: John was infatuated and knew everything about trains, in 1957 at age 17, he asked his Mother for a release allowing him to ride a train from Gainesville Ga. to Flowler Junction, Ga.
Father: His passion was reading about the history of trains and how they evolved. It was almost as if he wanted to be a train conductor!
TL: I located an old “Howard Railroad Chronometer pocket watch” once crucial for safe and correct operation of trains….A system of timetable and train order, which relied on highly accurate timekeeping, was used to ensure that two trains could not be on the same stretch of track at the same time.
Guns: John Love Guns, the shoot range, he even made his own bullets….
Mercedes: John worked as an auto mechanic at L.P. Evans, Mercedes for many years, maybe 40, retired in 2011. John was very technical, he knew the older models- better than the younger mechanics.
Staunch Republican: He Loved Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and Donald J. Trump! In addition to the Catholic Channel, he watched Fox on a daily basis and would be outraged if the Hospital failed to have his….FOX Network!
Death: I found something very unique about John and his family. The family planned out their burial arrangements. Many of his family members are buried right at Miami Memorial Park: Lots 323: burial plots: 2, 5 & 6, Lots 324: 5 & 6, 325: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. John’s family’s burial planning experience dates back generations: I located a 1914 document from Woodlawn Cemetery in Georgia…..same thing….mass family graves.
Quotes from Friends
Sue Longman - He was kind and faithful. He always used the phrase “May the peace of the Lord be with you.” He had a great memory, loved history, and was very smart.
TL: “ Saints Preserve” or Saints Preserve Us- The mistaken notion that Catholics worship saints remains one of the most common complaints of our Protestant brothers and sisters…
Sheila - He was very reserved, adored his mother and two aunts. The reason he never got married, although he had one girlfriend, he was devoted his life to his mother and two aunts.
Harvey - He was fascinated by trains, he liked books, very reserved, and he never talked about his family.
Ray - He was reserved and a very grateful person. He was extremely devoted to the Knights of Columbus.
May God Bless John P. Wilkinson, and may he rest in eternal peace.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?