Franklin D. Wilson, 87, of Rancho Bernardo, died January 29, 2021 at Pomerado Hospital, Poway, CA of a heart attack with his wife and son at his side. Born in Coretta, WV in the shadow of the Great Smokey Mountains, he spent his early years running barefoot in the hills, going fishing and never lost his love of the outdoors. At the age of 15, after a coal mine accident, he decided it wasn't the career he wanted so after working various jobs, he entered the United States Marine Corps at the age of 19. What followed in the next 28+ years was a career that took him around the world in war and peace. His first child, Sandra Lee (mother Dorothy Starkey), was born in Prince William County, VA and soon after the family moved to Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii. Further tours of duty took Frank to Twentynine Palms, CA; two combat tours in Vietnam; USMC Reserve Training Instructor in Green Bay, WI; Motor Transport Chief in Barstow, CA; and two Marine Security Guard postings as NCOIC at US Embassy's in Jakarta, Indonesia and Cairo, Egypt before retiring at Marine Corp Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. The cold winters of Green Bay were where he met his current wife, Cheryl Ann (O'Connell), with whom he just celebrated over 50 years together. Their son Christopher (Wilson-Higuera) was born in Barstow, CA and now resides in San Diego, CA. Honeymooning in Cardiff by the Sea in 1970 led to choosing San Diego as their permanent home and years of ocean walks, RV trips across the US, and many camping and fishing outings filled their life. After his military service he worked at General Atomics for over 20 years as well as volunteering with Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society.

He is preceded in death by parents Sampson Wilson and Flora Church Wilson, sister Juanita Reedy (Marlin), nieces Deborah and Susan Reedy, in-laws Clifton and Athlyn (Doolan) O'Connell, and brother and sister-in-law Keith and Bonnie (Loose) O'Connell. Survivors include his wife Cheryl Ann (O'Connell) of San Diego, CA; daughter Sandra (Jeff) Mancini, grandchildren Adam (fiancé Catherine), and Mariah (Andrew) Turner all of Las Vegas, NV; son Christopher (spouse Alfredo Wilson- Higuera), grandson Cameron (Stacey Wilson), and step-grandson Aidan Higuera all of San Diego, CA; nephew Steven and wife Linda Reedy of TN; and great niece Perla Reedy of CO.

Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 13541 Stoney Creek Road, Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego, CA 92129, on Saturday, March 6, at 1:00 pm, presider Father Anthony Saroki. The Mass will be lived streamed from the Parish Website via Youtube for family and friends who will not be able to attend in person. Internment will occur at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, CA at a future date to be determined in the summer of 2021, hopefully so out of state family will be able to attend. Grateful appreciation goes to the ER staff and ICU nurses and doctors of Pomerado Hospital for their exceptional and compassionate care of Frank in his final hours. Our ability to be physically with him is the greatest gift we could ask for.

Services were provided by Poway Bernardo Mortuary, Poway, CA.