St. Petersburg Times (FL) - July 20, 1987
Deceased Name: Earl R. Wilson, 61, retired from teaching in 1986 after 30 years at Northeast High
ST. PETERSBURG - Earl R. Wilson, a retired accounting teacher at Northeast High School, died Friday (July 17, 1987) at his residence, 1710 65th Way N, of an apparent heart attack. He was 61. Mr. Wilson, who taught at the school for 30 years, retired after the completion of the 1986 term. He also taught business education for the adult evening program for more than 20 years at Northeast and Dixie Hollins high schools and at Boca Ciega Evening High School from 1956 to 1959. While at Northeast High, Mr. Wilson taught numerous workshops in accounting. He spearheaded the first Wheel Club on the West Coast of Florida. Out of this grew the INTERACT Club that he sponsored for 28 years. He led the group in such projects as operating the high school stadium's public address system, posting fire escape routes and in numerous successful community and fund-raising activities such as the sale of Christmas trees. In 1964, the Northeast High yearbook was dedicated to him. Before coming here in 1956 from his native, Mountain City, Tenn., Mr. Wilson was a teacher in Bristol, Tenn., and a company accountant for Kingsport (Tenn.) Oil Co. and National Acme Co., Cleveland. He was a graduate of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. He was a member of Garden Crest Presbyterian Church and a treasurer and board member for the Pinellas County Teachers Credit Union. An Army veteran of World War II, he served under General Patton's Third Army, 94th Infantry Division. He received the Bronze Star and Good Conduct medals. Survivors include a sister, Pauline W. Lowe, Mountain City, Tenn.; two nieces, Billie Leigh Short, Largo, and Pat Reece, Mountain City; and a sister-in-law, Vivian Wilson, Largo. Burial will be in Tennessee. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Garden Crest Presbyterian Church, 5901 Ninth Ave. N, with the Rev. J.H. Wade officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Earl R. Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund of Northeast High School, 1717 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33714. All Faiths Funeral Home, St. Petersburg, is in charge of local arrangements.
St. Petersburg Times (FL)