John F. 'Jack' Wilson

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John F. 'Jack' Wilson

December 23, 1922 ~ November 27, 2019

John F. (Jack) Wilson, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2019 at St. Mark’s Hospital.

Jack was born Dec. 23, 1922, in Niagara Falls, New York to Anna Louise Prows Wilson and John Francis “Frank” Wilson. Three years later, he became older brother to Edward, known as “Bud.” Upon graduation in 1940, Jack went to work for American Airlines. He was later recruited by the airline to help with Army Air Corps operations and was assigned to the Air Transport Command in Natal, Brazil, where he developed a lifelong love of Portuguese.

In 1945, Jack enrolled in the University of Cincinnati. A year later, he transferred to Xavier University. In 1950, he married Florence M. Gibb, and less than a year later they welcomed their first child. In 1952, Jack was awarded his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati.

Jack was drafted into the Army in 1953, serving as a medical officer in the U.S. Army Airborne division. Following his service, he completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in hematology, after which the family moved to Salt Lake City. Jack treated patients at the Salt Lake County Hospital and taught at the University of Utah School of Medicine. In the mid-1960s, Jack pursued training as a pediatric pathologist and later helped establish a pathology laboratory at Primary Children’s Hospital, which he directed for more than 15 years.

Jack and Florence eventually became parents to eight rambunctious children, whom they raised in accordance with Catholic teachings. Their faith was the bedrock of their marriage, and for many years after their children were grown they would attend daily Mass.

In 1988, in recognition of his research and his work as director of laboratories at Primary Children’s Medical Center, Jack received the Distinguished Service to Healthcare Award from the Utah Hospital Association.

After retirement, Jack became a devoted amateur genealogist, eventually writing five books about his and Flo’s family histories.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Florence; children John (Lynn), Anne (Con) Psarras, Sarah (Rick) Miller, Madeline (Bill) Grieder, Timothy (Marianne), Margaret (R.J.) Chleboski, Peter (Marian), and Jean; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his cherished grandchildren Kimberly Wilson and Michael Miller.

A funeral Mass was celebrated December 6 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Jack was laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Catholic Foundation of Utah, 27 C St., Salt Lake City, 84103.