Richard Grear Wilson

Richard Grear Wilson, 87, a resident of Sugar Land, TX and a long-time resident of Lafayette, LA passed away peacefully with family at his side at Silverado Senior Living on September 21, 2014. Mr. Wilson was born on December 31, 1926 to Elgar Ernest and Lucille Bucklin Wilson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He spent most of his young life in Remsen, Iowa and Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Wilson obtained his degree in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University, where he was a member of Acacia Fraternity. Mr. Wilson was a decorated Veteran, having served in the Navy during World War II and as a U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant building airfields in Korea during the Korea War. In 2008, he was honored to participate in the Louisiana Honor Air Flight. After returning home, his career led him to Lafayette, LA where he met the love of his life, Martha Lee Chaisson. They met at a New Year’s Eve celebration on Mr. Wilson’s 27th birthday and were married six weeks later, on Valentine’s Day 1954. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Mr. Wilson spent most of his career working for T.L. James & Company/Louisiana Paving Company, where he was a Vice-President and Area Manager. He holds the prestige of designing and building the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge on Interstate-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette; with a total length of 18.2 miles, it is the second-longest bridge in the U.S. Mr. Wilson was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He was known for his kind, gentle nature and his wit. He could often be spotted at Red’s on the tennis courts with his tennis team, or at the Petroleum Club with his Tuesday Men’s Bridge Group, or with the Friday night Couple’s Bridge Group. He also enjoyed internet research, crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader. He and his wife Martha loved to travel, especially on cruises. He loved children and babies, and they had a natural affection for him. He was an “adopted Grandpa” to many. Mr. Wilson was happiest when surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. His grandchildren were the light of his life, as he was theirs’. Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Donald Wilson and Eugene Wilson; sisters Patricia Wilson van der Hooght and Eileen Wilson Humphrey. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Chaisson Wilson; his children Elizabeth Wilson Wallace and husband David of Sonora, TX, Richard G. Wilson, Jr. and wife Lisa Dark of Houston, TX, and Diane Wilson DeCarlo and husband Lenny of Richmond, TX; grandchildren Wilson Emerson Wallace and wife Elizabeth, Warren Andrew Wallace, Richard “Grear” Wilson, III and partner Jenny Mintz, Abigail Marchand Wilson, Natalie Anne Wilson, Crawford Connor LeBouef, and William Wilson LeBouef; and step-grandchildren Karissa DeCarlo and husband Dwight Loar, Paul DeCarlo, Vincent DeCarlo, Zoe Dark-Fox, and Adam Dark-Fox; brother-in-law Donald Humphrey and wife Carmen of Metairie, LA and sister-in-law Betty Ann Chaisson Langlinais and husband John of Lake Charles, LA; a host of nieces and nephews around the country; and their beloved dog, Barney. As he lived his life, he lived his passing: in his final gift to mankind, Mr. Wilson has donated his body for the advancement of medical science. A private Memorial Service will be held at Silverado Senior Living in Sugar Land, TX on Friday, October 3, 2014 and a public service for friends and family will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm. The family will hold a reception immediately following the service in Delhomme Funeral Home’s Reception Hall. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation for the loving and compassionate care provided to Mr. Wilson by the staff of Silverado Senior Living, where Mrs. Wilson still resides, and Silverado Hospice of Sugar Land. Silverado Senior Living is located at 1221 Seventh Street Sugar Land, TX 77478. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Organization, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or on their website at www.alz.org or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com. Personal condolences may be sent to the Wilson family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Richard Grear Wilson

December 31, 1926 - September 21, 2014