Michael James "Mike" WILSON
WILSON, LAMBERT, SOENER, SATHER
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/11/2011 at 15:28:13
Obituary - Michael J. "Mike" Wilson
The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
by Peggy SenzarinoRock Falls native killed in traffic accident in Texas
SAN ANTONIO — Family members say a Rock Falls, Iowa, native and decorated soldier was just starting a new life when he was killed Sunday night in a traffic accident in Texas.
Michael J. "Mike" WILSON, 23, Austin, died in a two-vehicle accident in in San Antonio, according to his father, Jim WILSON.
Jim WILSON said Michael spent Sunday at a friend's home in San Antonio and was heading back to Austin about 8 p.m. when his car was T-boned. The other driver told police she looked down at her cell phone, looked up and his car was there. She was unable to stop.
The family received a call from police about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
"To me, he was really just starting his life. I haven't seen him happier," said Michael's mother, Joan WILSON. "He was ready for life. He was just ready to take it on and that was the end."
Spc. WILSON was awarded the Purple Heart on Jan. 26, 2009. He was a cavalry scout with the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry, when the Stryker vehicle he was riding in drove over a land mine near Baghdad on Dec. 10, 2008. WILSON suffered back injuries and had three surgeries.
He spent months recovering from his injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
His mother stayed at Fisher House, a special apartment complex for soldiers and their families located on the center grounds.
WILSON was unable to return to combat. Despite being offered an opportunity to remain in the Army in a support role, he decided to leave the military. WILSON was discharged in August 2010 on medical disability retirement. He had been living in Austin for the past 14 months.
At the time of his death, WILSON was attending Austin Community College taking fitness courses. He worked part-time as a personal trainer and sold Herbalife.
He was a 2006 graduate of Newman Catholic High School in Mason City.
"He was just a wonderful young man," said Newman instructor Audrey WOLF. "He had a fantastic sense of humor. He loved to read, loved his family and just especially was so proud to serve his country. That’s all he ever wanted to do and he had a chance to do that so bravely."
Newman teacher Julie LAMBERT said things weren't always easy for Michael.
"But he always had such a positive attitude about everything," she said.
LAMBERT said she wasn't surprised when he decided to join the military.
"Mike had a great love of his country and he loved the outdoors, so a desk job or an inside job was never going to be in Mike's future," LAMBERT said.
Jim WILSON said his son was drawn to the military because of the excitement and the challenge.
"I think he saw the military as an opportunity to see some things, experience some things. He was always adventurous," Jim said.
Physical fitness was a lifelong passion of Michael's.
"He was very excited about the fitness."
His father said Michael missed the military but was moving on to the next chapter in his life.
Talking with many of Michael's friends since his death, Joan said many have said Michael was their best friend. "A few have said, 'I just lost a brother.'"
She said Michael was "all about fitness," including healthy eating and exercise.
"It was his pride. He was down to 11 percent body fat or something like that. He just was in the most fit shape," she said.
Joan said she feels lucky to have been able to spend one-on-one time with Michael in Texas during his rehabilitation.
"I consider myself the most blessed," she said. "We got three free years. Mike had a double-stacked land mine blow up under him and he survived it. We got three more years. He could have died then."
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, October 5, 2011Obituary ~ Michael James "Mike" Wilson
ROCK FALLS - Michael J. "Mike" WILSON, 23, of Austin, Texas, and formerly of Rock Falls, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, due to injuries received in an automobile accident.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City with the Rev. Michael J. SCHUELLER and the Rev. Craig E. STEIMEL as concelebrants.
Committal services will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, where military honors will be conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 3-7 p.m. at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, where a Scriptural Wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Fisher House to aid wounded soldiers and their families.
Michael James WILSON was born on July 6, 1988, in Mason City to James and Joan (SOENER) WILSON. Mike attended and graduated from Newman Catholic High School amongst the class of 2006. Following his graduation Mike enlisted in the United States Army where he faithfully and honorably served his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning a Purple Heart and other decorations. In August of 2010 Mike was honorably discharged and medically retired from the Army.
Currently, Mike was living in Austin, Texas, where he was enrolled in college classes to receive his degree in Fitness Training. Mike loved working out and challenging himself. Just two weeks ago he participated in the Goruck Challenge, a unique physical challenge inspired by the Green Berets.
He had a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh and was a lover of life. Mike loved spending time with his family and friends; he enjoyed dogs and loved living in Texas.
Those grateful in sharing in Mike's life are his parents, Jim and Joan WILSON, Rock Falls; his sister, Amy SATHER and her husband Andy, Omaha, Neb.; his brother, Bill WILSON, Dillon, Montana; his nephew and god-son, Charlie SATHER; aunts and uncles, Pete (Julie), Beth (Bill), Joe, Nancy (Linda), Tom (Janey), Rob (Kristi), Mary Lou (Jim), Cathy (Ray) and Carolyn; numerous cousins, extended relatives and many friends.
Mike is preceded in death by his grandparents.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 641-423-2372, www.colonialchapels.com.
Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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