James Carroll Wilkinson

James Carroll Wilkinson, 87, of Charleston, SC, widower of Mary “Mollie” Don McDill Wilkinson, died on April 15, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church at a later date to be announced. His remains will be interred next to Mollie’s in the courtyard at First (Scots) Memorial Garden. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. 

James was born February 28, 1936, the son of the late Royal Gibson Wilkinson and Gladys Holt Wilkinson. Jim, as he was known by his friends far and wide, grew up in Louisville, KY before attending The Citadel and graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served in the Army twice, serving both as an enlistment and after being recalled for the Bay of Pigs Crisis. Eventually, Jim and Mollie settled in Charleston, SC where he began a long career with SCE&G retiring after 32 years in 1994. 

Always active in his church, Jim was a servant and a leader in both First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC and Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC where the family lived from 1973-1994 before returning to Charleston after retirement. First (Scots) has been the spiritual home of the family for generations. Jim and Mollie were married there, worshiped there, and will be memorialized in the Memorial Garden. 

Jim was a loving husband and father. In his mid-life, Jim discovered playing tennis eventually earning his credentials as a certified umpire which he did for several years for professional, collegiate, and junior USTA matches around SC. Jim and Mollie enjoyed playing tennis together for years as well. He especially enjoyed working with youth tennis. 

Jim was an active member of The Citadel Alumni Association and a very committed member of The Class of 1958. Some of his very best and longest friends were his classmates with whom he enjoyed lunches and football games with for decades.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Mollie; and his youngest daughter, Mary W. Robbins. 

He is survived by three children:  Karen W. Miller (Steve Miller, M.D.) of Charleston SC, Helen W. Lopez (John Lopez) of Villarreal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and Bruce C. Wilkinson (Torrey Wilkinson, Ph.D.) of Pottstown, PA; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his cousin and Citadel classmate, Duncan Wilkinson and his wife, Lois. 

Memorials may be made to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church or The Citadel Foundation in his honor.