Edgar Wilkinson Obituary

Edgar "Eddie" L. Wilkinson, age 86, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family and in the tender care of the nurses and staff of Community Hospice Baptist South on May 1, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida after courageously battling Mesothelioma. Born January 19, 1937, Eddie was a native of Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Andrew Jackson Senior High School in 1955. He attended El Camino Junior College in Redondo Beach, California where he earned a degree in accounting. He went on to attend Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri where he studied Pastoral Theology. He was ordained into ministry at the age of twenty-five. He worked at Johns Manville in Green Cove Springs as a cost accountant for eight years. In 1970, he played a key role in forming University Christian School in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the president of the choir and taught Sunday school for many years at First Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville. Eddie retired at the age of 85 years old due to illness from Cornerstone Homes after 20 years as Chief Financial Officer. He loved his job and considered the people there his family. Eddie and Janet are members of Fruit Cove Baptist Church in St. Johns County. Eddie "is" a true follower of Jesus and his life's goal was to witness Christ's love to everyone he met and would seek out those who needed a helping hand. One of the things he said frequently was he wanted to leave someone better than when he first met them. His first love was Jesus, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come. Eddie was predeceased by his parents; Irving and Vera Wilkinson, brothers; Sonny and Timothy Wilkinson, and grandson; Tyler Case. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Janet Livingston Wilkinson, daughters; Rene' (Bill) Wofford, Laurie (David) Stone, Paula (Billy) Barnhart, and son, Greg (Melanie) Wilkinson, twelve grandchildren; Brittany (Bryan), Amanda, Andi (Zane), David (Ryen), Christian, Will, Hunter, Seth, Ashley (Mike), Mathew, Jackson, and Anna, nine great-grandchildren; Madison, Ben, Kennadee, Kaden, Ryder, Alston, Emma, Charlotte, and Thomas, brothers; Randy (Anita) and George (Cathy) Wilkinson, and sisters; Nancy (Lewis-deceased) Lange and Judy (Tom) Collins, sister-in law, Betty Wilkinson (Timothy-deceased), and many more special loved ones. Please join us for a celebration of Eddie's life on June 10, 2023, at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Rd 13, St. Johns, Florida 32259. Visitation will be 10:30 am - 11:00 am with a service at 11:00 am. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to charities such as Tim Tebow Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, or a charity of your choice.