Christopher Columbus Wilson

Christopher C. Wilson
Christopher Columbus Wilson passed away May 31st, 2012 at the age of 74.
Chris was born October 12th, 1937 in Milan, MO to Wayne and Isabel Wilson, the youngest of eight children. He graduated Kirksville High School in 1955, receiving the Robert Howell Memorial Scholarship. Chris attended Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College. He married Judith Kay Zucchi January 7th, 1955. The parents of five children, they recently celebrated their 57th anniversary.
Chris served in the Army as a driver for the Company Commander, Headquarters Company, 4th Armored Division in Ulm, Germany, and Ft. Hood, Texas. In 1966 he joined KTVO television in Lancaster, MO as a reporter. He became anchorman of the noon, 6, and 10pm broadcasts. He created and hosted "Sportscope" Saturday evenings at 10:30. A press release by the company noted his "natural ability, intelligence, and warmth on camera as evidenced by his tremendous following." He was a member of many civic and social groups, hosted many public events, and received numerous awards. He was promoted to News Director of KTVO television and KBIZ radio in Ottumwa, IA, anchoring the television news and the voice of radio news. In 1972 Chris became anchorman at WHBF-TV in Rock Island, IL, one of three TV stations in the Quad-Cities and once again promoted to News Director, Managing Editor and Sales. He left the news business in 1980 and the family moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, where he enjoyed skiing, hosting family and friends. Chris and Judy returned to Kirksville in 1988 and he later accepted a managerial position with the El-Kadir Shrine Club. He served on the Board of Directors of Twin Pines Adult Care Center 1988-2002. His fondness of children had Chris driving a school bus for many years. For the past few years he was a Customer Service Manager at the Kirksville Wal-Mart.
He was member of Kirksville Lodge #105, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
He is survived by his wife, Judy, of Kirksville; children, Randall of Sydney, Australia, Mike of Columbia, MO, Tammy of Bethlehem, PA, Scott of Davenport, IA, and Gregory of Saint Louis, MO, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Mike and sister-in-law, Beverly of Squim, WA; sister-in-law, Carol Wilson of St. Charles, MO; sister-in-law, Carolyn Wilson of Eldridge, IA.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday (June 8, 2012) at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church with Father Chris Cordes officiating. Burial will be in Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday with a Prayer service to be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501   660-665-2233
Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. or the Shriner’s Hospital.