James Harvey Wilson III

James (Jim) Harvey Wilson III, 73, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, beloved husband, father, and brother, embarked on his final adventure on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Jim was born February 13, 1950 in Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico, to James Harvey Wilson Jr. and Laura Trowbridge Wilson, the middle child between sisters Leslie and Anne.  After briefly relocating to their native North Augusta, SC in 1960, the family moved to Murray Hill, New Jersey where Jim attended high school while working with African frogs in an audiology lab at Bell Labs.  Simultaneously a nerd and outdoorsman, he earned his Eagle Scout in 1967.  After a first attempt at college, a brief stint in the army, and a subsequent honorable discharge, Jim attended his local community college and continued on to the University of Colorado-Boulder where he was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and received His Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. Encouraged by his Colorado mentor and without taking the GREs, Jim enrolled in the Ph.D. program for Chemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned his Masters and Doctorate.  There he met a beautiful history graduate student named Vivian Laflamme.  With her cool head, warm heart, and pragmatic approach to life, she proved to be his match and the couple married in 1981.  James began his career at the Westvaco research lab in Laurel, MD and later transferred to the (then Westvaco) North Charleston paper mill, where he retired.

A Boy Scout throughout his life, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster and in other roles for Troop 15 in Mount Pleasant.  A Sea Scout, he was first mate for Ship 510.  A sailor, he was a tactician and instructor aboard the Peregrine.  An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hiking, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, national parks, and woodworking.  A dog lover, he was a member of the Laurel Hill Park Husky Gang along with his dream dog, Thor.  He was also an avid fan of jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. 

He is survived by his wife, Vivian Laflamme; son, Jack Wilson; his daughter, Julia Wilson; two sisters, Leslie Wilson and Anne Parham (Larry); nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to:

Sea Scout Ship 510

c/o Skipper Don Zimmerman

3967 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle

Mount Pleasant, SC 29466

Boy Scout Troop 15

c/o Ryan Giles

1377 Southern Magnolia Lane

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

or by Venmo @BoyScoutsTrp15

And when you have the chance, visit a national or state park.

Please, no flowers.