James O. Wilson, 79, was born and raised in Melrose, MA.  He graduated from Melrose High in 1956 and went on to earn an electrical engineering degree from Northeastern University.  His was a 51 year distinguished career in engineering.  After graduation, he was hired by General Electric in Pittsfield. He spent 4 years in quality control.  In 1966, he joined RCA Automated Systems Division in Burlington where he worked on test systems for the military.  He worked on the Apache AH-64 helicopter and the Air Force over the Horizon radar project.

When General Electric Aerospace acquired the Burlington facility in the mid 1980s, he remained, traveling to military bases here and in Germany teaching and maintaining vital systems.  The bases often requested "Wilson" by name.  He was still working at the same facility when it was acquired by Martin Marietta.  Martin Marietta ultimately moved the Burlington operation to Florida, closing it's doors.  Several of the Burlington engineers decided to start a new company, BCO Inc., of Billerica, beginning with end of contract work from the Burlington facility.  Here Jim served as Senior Product Design Engineer.  His work again involved designing and building test systems and developing software and hardware for these systems.

In 2003, Jim went to work for the defense contractor DCS Corp, now located in Littleton, MA.  DCS was then involved in supporting the digital backbone of the US Army MRAP vehicle program.  MRAP vehicles were designed to withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes.  Jim was in his element!  Throughout his career, he was known for possessing outstanding engineering and troubleshooting skills.  When he had time, Jim loved refurbishing classic antique autos.

At the time of his death, he was still working on his 1957 Cadillac convertible.  He had his rare '57 Chevy 210 wagon on the road, and was using his '64 Buick Special as an island car on the Vineyard (where, incidently, many of the best family memories were made).  Over time, he worked on a 40s Pontiac, (his first car), Oldsmobiles, Chevy Bel Airs, a Saab, and two old Mercedes.  He had a Mercedes that had well over 500,000 miles on it.  He was an outstanding mechanic, the ultimate "fix it guy;"never fearing to tackle the most complex tasks.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol (Hutchins) Wilson; his three children, James O Wilson Jr. of Bangor ME., Warren E. Wilson of Virum Denmark, and Constance (Wilson) Ross and her husband, Peter of Old Lyme, CT.  He is also survived by his sister, Louise (Wilson) Wholey and her husband Jim of Saratoga and Trukee CA.; and eight grandchildren, Christine Wilson, Caroline Wilson, Reeves Wilson, Mette Wilson, Nicolai Wilson, Marissa Ross, Rachel Ross, and Erin Ross.

A Celebration of Life in Jim's memory will be held at The Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott Street, Danvers, MA on Friday, March 23 ^rd at 11:30 AM.  Donations in Jim's memory may be sent to The Reading Food Pantry, 6 Salem St Reading, MA 01867; or to Lazarus House, PO Box 408, Lawrence, MA 01842; or Mission of Deeds Inc., 4 Chapin Ave, Reading, MA 01867.