Ray Wilkinson

   Cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ray Wilkinson, of Milton, passed away peacefully at his home January 25, 2025, with his family present.
   He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 62 years, Sara Wilkinson; daughter Terry Carson and husband Kevin Carson of Lewes; son Jeff Wilkinson and husband Bill Rogers of Milton; granddaughter Brittany Croll and partner Clay Miller of Alexandria, Virginia; grandson Beau Croll and wife  Candace Croll of Lewes; great grandsons Axel Croll and Jaxon Croll of Lewes; and his beloved cats, Jelly Bean, Spooky, and Peaches. He was
preceded in death by his mother Priscilla Wilkinson and father Louis Wilkinson.
   Ray was born May 30, 1937, in Milton, Delaware, where he lived his entire life. After graduating from Milton High School in 1955, he served in the United States Navy for four years. He began his professional career at a young age carrying movie reels upstairs to the projection booth at the Milton Theatre. An electrician by trade, he retired from Kraft General Foods in Dover, Delaware in 1993. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, Delaware.
   Ray was known as a jack of all trades. He built his and Sara’s home and engaged in home improvement projects throughout his life (even when he was in a wheelchair.) He boasted that he was able to meet his goal of being retired for longer than he worked, having worked for 30 years and retired for 37 years. His favorite trip was to San Diego, California, where he visited his former and now retired Navy aircraft carrier, the U.S.S.
Midway. (Of course, Ray knew the ship well and was not shy about stepping in to help with tours.) A favorite memory of his was a Caribbean Cruise where Ray and Sara hosted the family on to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. His favorite hobbies and pastimes included fishing, crabbing (his beloved dog Freckles always went with him), and watching cowboy movies (Gene Autrey was a personal favorite). A great source of pride was that he was able to teach his now deceased cat, Toppy, to pray. (He freely gave demonstrations to visitors.)
    A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, Delaware. Interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery, in Milton, Delaware, will follow the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent directly to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Delaware Hospice, or St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, Delaware.
   Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com