Wilkins Jr., George
Was born on July 12, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, the second of six children – Nancy, Norman, Kenneth, John, and Laurence – to the union of George Wilkins and Anna Page.
A proud, lifelong resident of Chicago’s South Side, George graduated from Forestville Grammar School in 1950. After attending Tilden Tech High School, he transferred to DuSable, graduating in 1954. After high school, he accepted a scholarship to attended Howard University, where he would eventually study architecture. Upon returning to Chicago, he took a position with the US Postal Service as a letter carrier. Drafted into the Army in 1960, he served 2 years, spending his final 18 months posted in France as a company clerk. On January 7, 1961, he married the former Velma Hazlett, beginning a 56-year journey together as husband and wife. A year later, he began working for the Chicago Public Schools as a data entry operator. Over his 36-year career with CPS, George rose to the position of Chief Systems Analyst, retiring in June of 1998. Gregarious, humorous, and socially-conscience by nature, he was a member of Operation Breadbasket and volunteer with the Chicago Urban League, which honored him with a Beautiful People Award in 1988. A founding member of the Arrogant Gents Social Club, George was an excellent card player, taking first place in the 1994 Chicago Executive Golf Club Bid Whist Championship partnered with his son Keith.
A trusted mentor and confidant to many, George was called home on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, surrounded by family in his home of almost four decades. Preceded by his wife Velma Rita, he is survived by brothers, Kenneth and Laurence; sisters-in-law, Anita and Anne; sons, Craig and Keith; daughter-in-law, Alenda; grandchildren, Bryce and Mckenzie; 13 nephews; six nieces; eight grandnieces; ten grandnephews; two greatgrandnieces; one great-grandnephew; one greatgreat-grandniece; towo great-great-grandnephews; a host of loving friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Midwest Memorial Chapel, 5040 S. Western Avenue. Wake and Funeral will be held Monday, October 1, 2018, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wake, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Apostolic Church of God in Christ, 6320 S. Dorchester Avenue. Interment will be immediately after service at Mount Hope Cemetery, 11500 S. Fairfield.