Irvin Fulmer Wilkinson Jr.

Irvin F. Wilkinson, Jr., 81, of Bel Air passed away on May 4, 2015 at his home. Born in Cambridge, Maryland on September 26, 1933, Mr. Wilkinson was the only child of the late Irvin F. Wilkinson, Sr. and Miriam Andrews Wilkinson.

Mr. Wilkinson is survived by his wife, Debby Neal Wilkinson of Bel Air, sons Steve Wilkinson and his wife, Kelli, of Reisterstown and Jeff Wilkinson and his wife, Kelly, of Sparks, grandchildren Jennifer Flurry and her husband, Mike, of Forest Hill, Christopher Wilkinson and his wife, Lara, of Bel Air, Zak Wilkinson of Hampstead, Jake Wilkinson of Sparks, and Logan Marsh of Reisterstown, two great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Ella Flurry of Forest Hill, and a sister and brother-in-law, Fran and Michael Kern, of Springfield, Virginia.

Mr. Wilkinson was born and raised in Cambridge and thoroughly enjoyed his childhood spent on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He frequently said that Cambridge was the greatest place in the world to grow up. Mr. Wilkinson graduated from Cambridge High School in 1951 and served two years in the Army during the Korean War. In 1957, he married his wife of 58 years, Debby Neal, daughter of the late Floyd and Elizabeth Neal of Cambridge. Mr. Wilkinson attended the University of Maryland with the intention of playing football; however this endeavor was short-lived due to the first of many knee surgeries. He received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary School Physical Education in 1960 and a Master's degree in Educational Administration in 1964, and he was a dissertation short of earning a Doctoral degree in Education. Mr. Wilkinson taught physical education at Capital Heights Elementary School and Carmody Hills Elementary School in Prince George's County while also holding the position of Assistant Director of Intramurals for the University of Maryland's athletic department under James Kehoe.

In July 1964, Mr. Wilkinson began his rewarding and extensive career as a principal for Harford County Public Schools at William Paca Elementary School when he opened and dedicated the school. In March 1965, he moved to Joppatowne Elementary School to also open and dedicate that school. In 1973, Mr. Wilkinson was appointed principal of Edgewood Elementary School where he remained until 1978. At that time he was moved to Deerfield Elementary School where he spent 13 years before retiring after serving 32 years in education. During his career in education, Mr. Wilkinson was a member of HCESSA, MAESA, and NAESP, and he served as President of HCESSA in 1978. Mr. Wilkinson made numerous lifelong friends during his tenure with Harford County Public Schools many of whom he considered family.

Mr. Wilkinson lived in Edgewood Meadows until 1992 where he was active in many community activities. He was a proud member of Edgewood American Legion Post #17, and he maintained that membership for over 25 years. Mr. Wilkinson held all offices and coached all age levels of the Edgewood baseball program, and he also coached football and basketball. Mr. Wilkinson started the first organized recreation soccer program in Edgewood. He had many fond memories of the ten years he spent coaching both of his sons during their time with the Edgewood Recreation program. Mr. Wilkinson also coached baseball at Edgewood High School for twelve years, and his proudest coaching experience was being the pitching coach under head coach Steve Williams when the team won five regional titles and went to three state finals, winning one and losing two. Throughout his life, Mr. Wilkinson always loved playing sports, and he was a very good athlete growing up on the Eastern Shore. He played competitive basketball and softball into his fifties. Mr. Wilkinson also enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play sports, and he was an avid fan of the Orioles, the Ravens, and the Maryland Terps. Mr. Wilkinson had season tickets to Terps basketball and football games for many years.

Besides sports, Mr. Wilkinson had a wide variety of interests. He was an avid collector of classic country music of the '50s and '60s, and he enjoyed playing golf, hunting, reading, traveling, and researching his ancestry. But most importantly, Mr. Wilkinson loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed nothing more than dinners, parties, and vacations, surrounded by those he loved. From annual trips to Longboat Key, Florida, to weekend getaways to Bethany Beach, Delaware, to Wilkinson reunions at his cousin Dick's house, to memory-filled visits to Cambridge, Mr. Wilkinson was all about family. He could often be found down on the floor playing with his two great-granddaughters, ages 5 and 2, who, along with his grandchildren, lovingly called him "Pop." Mr. Wilkinson was the happiest when he was surrounded by family as they shared stories, laughter, and love. He was very proud of his sons, Steve and Jeff, for all of their accomplishments and for providing him with his large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or Kaufman Cancer Center, c/o The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014.