Jim Wesson's Obituary
Jim Wesson was born in Waco Texas in 1932 to James Parks Wesson and Louey Marion Tyler. He moved to Dallas in early childhood and then to Memphis. He graduated from Central High School, went to the University of Texas at Austin, and graduated from Memphis State University.Jim entered the Navy after graduation, attending Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, followed by flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola. He flew the North American FJ-4 Fury transonic jet fighter between the Korean and Vietnam wars. He joined American Airlines in 1964, and flew with American for 28 years. Jim was a Check Airman for many years where he instructed pilots in AA aircraft and at the flight academy simulators in Dallas. He loved to talk about being a part of the pilot group who ferried troops during the first Iraq war. Jim met his wife Jane in Memphis, and together they had three boys — James Parks, Richard Thomas, and Michael Tyler. All three sons were competitive swimmers, and Jim spent years cheering for his boys at swim meets. He taught them to sail boats, water ski, and ride dirt bikes at a young age.An avid boater, he spent much of his free time on the water with ski boats, Hobe Cats, and then a beautiful 40 foot Valiant sailboat. He and Jane moved to Bay Point to make a home for the Valiant, which gave them the opportunity to sail the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas. Later they purchased a Hatteras Trawler and traveled up the east coast on the inter-costal waterway, cruising as far north as Chesapeake Bay and Philadelphia.The Wessons spent four years exploring the interior of the USA, driving a 40 foot Fleetwood Revolution Motor Coach from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia to Halifax and from New England to Maine. Going west they saw the National Parks in Utah, Yellowstone in Wyoming, and Glacier National Park in Canada.Jim was happiest in life flying large planes, sailing large boats, and driving his large motor coach. He lived a full life, and will be missed by his wife Jane, his three sons, and his daughters- in- law, Kartini and Mila, and by his grandchildren Isabella, Adriana, Miguel and Gabriella.Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Jim?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jim?
Share a story where Jim's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jim you’ll never forget.
How did Jim make you smile?