Desmond Evan Wilkinson was born October 19, 1942 in Kingston, Jamaica, to Edna Mae Quinton and the late Gilbert Wilkinson. He was baptized into the Catholic faith and accepted Christ at an early age. After migrating to the United States he became a member of the St. Xavier’s parish. He attended St. Xavier’s High School and, shortly after, enlisted in the United States Army.
Desmond had a distinguished military career and he honorably retired after serving our country for 20 years. During the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Purple Heart for participation in battle during: OPERATION JUNCTION CITY. His service awards included the Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He retired in 1980 and he settled in Texas and continued service to our country as an employee at the Central Texas VA Medical Center. After 3 years, Desmond moved to Corpus Christi, TX and worked as a fireman at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. After 20 years of continuous civil service government work he retired to Temple, TX to be near his beloved children and grandchildren. One of Desmond’s greatest joys was to spend time with his grandchildren. During his life, he continued his avid love of reading and learning and the library was one of his favorite places to visit. His studies also led to a degree in Business Management at Temple College.
Desmond departed this life on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Temple, Texas. He was proceeded in death by his father Gilbert Wilkinson, grandmother Mary Eliza Gregg, younger sister Shurla A. Quinton, and step-father James E. Quinton Sr.
Left to cherish his memories are his mother Edna Mae Quinton of Junction City Kansas; three daughters, Donna Renee Morgan of Temple, Texas, Doris Ann Morgan of Temple, Texas, Nicole Angelic Desouza of Huntsville Alabama; one son, Desmond Evan Wilkinson Jr. (Jackie) of Temple, TX; five step-children, Charles Morgan, of Temple Texas, Doris Jewel Hollingsworth (Roger) of Temple, Texas, Curtis Morgan of Dallas, TX, Idia Morgan of Houston, Texas, and Maxine Morgan of Dallas Texas; eleven siblings, Lloyd E. Quinton of Junction City, KS, James E. Quinton, Jr. (Gladys) of San Jose, CA, Gene B. Quinton (Donna) of Charleston, SC, Antonio R. Quinton (Renee) of Roswell, GA, Beverly M. Quinton of Junction City, KS, Lorraine V. Quinton of Junction City, KS, Claude M. Quinton of Gainesville, FL , Andre C. Quinton, Sr. of Lake Worth, FL, Monique T. Quinton of Lawrence, KS, Raymond F. Quinton (Claudia) of Portland, OR, and Yvonne A. Cole (Fred) of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren, Devonte’ Barber (Sgt,USA), Destiny Barber, Furius Gonzales, Ernestine Robinson, Ahneva Wilkinson, Elijah Desouza, and Safiyyah Desouza; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends located all over the United States, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, England and other places around the world.