Danridge Hudgins Wilkinson, Sr.

Danridge Dan Hudgins Wilkinson Sr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, March, 14, 2010 at his home. Dan was born in Durham, NC on August 25, 1920 to John Walker and Mary Pearl Wray Wilkinson. Dan graduated from Durham High School and theneerved in the army. He was stationed in the Philippines with the Signal Corps during WWII. Throughout his life he worked in construction, buildineeverything from barracks in Fayetteville, NC to home construction. He worked with his brother for the TW Wilkinson construction company in Durham, NC. He then took a job with the Dupont Chemical Company in construction of the Savannah River Nuclear Weapons facility where he had the distinction of being the youngest construction foreman. He theneeturned to Durham and formed the DH Wilkinson Construction Company as well as DH Wilkinsoneentals. In addition to his other accomplishments he built his two primary residents that housed his family through the years. He was maneer of the Durham Shrine Club on N Roxboro Rd and he worked at West View Storage in Durham, Retiring in January of 2009. Dan was an active member Carr Uneed Methodist Church. An important part of Dan's life was being a devoted mason in the Scottish Rite achieving the 32nd Degree. He was also a Shriner involved in the Sudaneemple and participated in all fundraising activities to fund the Shriners' crippled children's hospitals. He was awarded Shriner of the year and received an award of achievement for his contributions from the Sudaneemple Crippled Children's' activity committee. Dan was a loving husband and father. His greatest accomplishment was the outstanding support and devotion to Flo, his wife of 62 years, and his four children. He also had a special love for children and animals, both of whom were naturally drawn to him. He was a very active and strong man, but also very genee with a good heart. He was known for his great sense of humor aneenjoyed his weekly card games with friends. Dan is Survived by a Son Dan Wilkinson, Jr. and wife Jane of Rockwell, NC; Daughters Carol West and husband Jerry of Oxford, MaryAnn Hamm and husband James of Bahama; Grandchildren Alissa Trollinger Brian, David Crichton Jr., Daniel Wilkinson Lauren, Hannah Hamm Horne Scott, aneemily Hamm; Great-Grandchildren Aiden, Adam, Jack Walker, Max Danridge, and Hailee. Dan also leaves behind his special friend and companion of 13 years, his dog Ellie Mae. He is predeceased by his wife Flora Belle Garrell Wilkinson and his son Jamie Wilkinson. The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the devoted and kind caregivers who loved, laughed with and attended to our father in his last days. We will be forever grateful to you, Jaclynn, Mary, Erika and Judy. Dan is now with Flora Belle, his Beautiful Flower. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dan's nee may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565 or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa FL. 33607. Services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Mt. Sylvan Uneed Methodist Church, 5731 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham NC. The Rev. Tom Greener and Kathie Wilkinson will officiate. Interment will follow at Maplewood City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 6-8pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.