Charles Richard 'Dick' Wilson, 81

Charles Richard “Dick” Wilson was born Dec. 9, 1933, in Kalispell, and passed peacefully after a lengthy illness on Aug. 28, 2015, at his lakeside home in Bigfork.  

Charles recently celebrated his 57th wedding anniversary with wife Lona, whom he married in Silverton, Oregon.

Dick leaves behind his three children, Todd Wilson and wife Stacy, Carolyn Wilson from Modesto, California, and Scott Wilson of Vallejo, California; and two grandchildren, Taylor Wilson and Jacob Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his father, Francis (RIP) Wilson; mother, Norma Beck Wilson; and sister, Barbara Spies.

Dick graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1956. He was an accomplished college and high school athlete. He was inducted into the OSU Basketball team Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Flathead High School Legends Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Dick attended Oregon State on an ROTC Scholarship and then served four years as a U.S. Navy aviator. Upon his completion of his military service, he began work at E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto. Dick led Gallo Glass Company as their vice president and general manager and retired in 1996 after 36 years of service.

During his life, Dick was an active member of the Sportsmen of Stanislaus in Modesto where he served as president and enjoyed playing basketball, tennis and handball and spending time with family and friends. He also loved golf, sailing and travel.

Dick and Lona shared many adventures and visited all seven continents. Their love for sailing took them to many exotic places and they circumnavigated the globe in 1991 to 1993.

Dick will be remembered as a true gentleman with a generous heart and spirit.

His favorite charity was Intermountain, which is an organization caring for children and healing through healthy family relationships located at 3240 Dredge Drive, Helena; www.intermountain.org

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Montana.