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Roland "Toe" Wilkerson
The following information was provided by Karen, Roland's wife. Thanks Karen and thanks to Roland for his wonderful service to his country. Roland "Toe" Wilkerson was born: 21 Nov 1941 ~ at Echols, Ohio County, Kentucky and Died: 19 Dec 1989 ~ Ohio County Hospital, Hartford, Kentucky. He was the son of Beckham and Rose Lee Hunter Wilkerson. Roland lived in the Rockport and Echols area all his life, except the few years that he was in the Navy. Roland joined the Navy during the Vietnam War and after basic training, he was transferred to the USS Ramsey. The USS Ramsey was assigned to a "Carrier Group" and Roland served on this ship during the Vietnam War. After Roland was discharged from the Navy, he married Karen. Two children were born from this marriage, James Thomas, on 10 Dec 1970 and Jacob J, 23 June 1973. Both were raised in the Rockport and Echols area. James Thomas, also served in the United States Navy. He served from 1988 to 1991 in the Persian Gulf on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier as a nuclear power mate. Addendum: I was born four years before "Toe" and was raised in the same time frame as he. I knew this good man very well. His older brother was nearer to my age than the others, but all of the Wilkerson's were in the group. When you played in Rockport and fished and swam in the Green River, in the middle part of the twentieth century, all kids were welcomed. No kid was left behind. "Toe" was no exception. "Toe" became a good hunter and fisherman. He was wiry and strong for his size. He was very good to know around a campfire or a cook stove as he could hold his own against the other good cooks of Rockport. "Toe" had a funny and different saying that I have never forgotten and it goes like this: "If it does not fly, climb trees, or swim, I do not want to eat it". That includes most wild game, but certainly eliminates beef and pork. Maybe not a bad idea. "Toe" was just a great and unique person. He is missed. If you are at this point, thanks for reading and being patient. I do enjoy playing with this type script and to have one read and look at what I have come up with is just an extra bonus. This type endeavor certainly gives an old retiree something to do and especially on a cool, wintry day. Anyway, hope you have enjoyed the "Soldier Series". The series is not over, but it has slowed. I have run out of pictures and write-ups and without them, I have no material to continue. May this New Year bring a truce for all military conflicts and may the "Peace Keepers" settle any problems between nations and "in-fighting" within nations without our fighting men and women being involved. May true Peace be within our reach. See you....... jrd |