OBITUARY: James Craig Wilson

James Craig Wilson

James Craig Wilson died peacefully in his home in Mesquite on July 20, 2021, surrounded by friends and family after living a wonderful life for 70 years.

As a young boy, Jim lived in many states in the nation, moving with his family as needed. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania in 1972.

Jim was an activist and advocate in the truest sense of the terms and long before they became popular labels. Once he decided on a cause or reason, nothing stood in the way of his passion, his heart, or his ability to accomplish what he found needed.

Jim moved to Mesquite in 2006 and immediately became involved in activities nearest to his heart. He was the moving force behind developing arts advocacy in Mesquite through the establishment of the Greater Mesquite Arts Foundation. That effort brought together various art organizations under one umbrella which had a greater voice in developing a cohesive plan for maturing the community into an arts-centric draw for residents and visitors.

Along with Dr. Ann Rice, Jim recognized educational tools needed by local schools beyond what institutional funding could provide. Together they began adopting one classroom at a time in Virgin Valley schools, Moapa Valley schools and Beaver Dam schools. Their work blossomed from there.

What began as small individual projects to meet the needs of a single teacher, together Jim and Ann adopted whole schools beginning in 2013. Together, they ultimately donated over 4,500 computers to serve the needs of students in all three school districts. That was long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. By then, Jim and Ann had already met the dire needs of students who relied on computer-related education through their generosity to, and admiration for, educators and students.

Jim’s most gratifying moments were seeing third grade students write computer programs that educators used in the classroom and fifth graders set up computer programs for other students.

Jim’s work through activism and advocacy the last ten years in Mesquite was the most rewarding work he had ever done. It will continue to shine in years to come through his care and love for young children and educators to have the tools they need to become successful.

Before coming to Mesquite, Jim had a successful career with Hyatt Hotels for 20 years as a controller. He helped establish new hotels in places like Phoenix, Maui, and Long Beach. While in that job, he lived in many different places throughout the nation and the world.

While living in Long Beach, CA, Jim became an activist and advocate for gay rights. He participated in one of the first marches for gay rights in Washington D.C. and in front of the U.S. Supreme Court when it was holding a major hearing on a gay rights case. He also helped start the first gay rights parade in Long Beach that is now a major event drawing hundreds of thousands of participants.

He also worked tirelessly for the Christopher Street West event in California that celebrates gay rights. Christopher Street West is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces the annual LA Pride Festival and Parade in West Hollywood, California and hosts a number of events and community initiatives supporting LA’s LGBTQ+ community throughout the year.

One of Jim’s most proud accomplishments was serving as a national tennis tournament official for ten years and serving as a line judge in five U.S. Tennis Open Championship tournaments at Flushing Meadows, New York.

He leaves a brother, Roger (Mary) and a sister, Janet (Don), along with many nieces and nephews to remember him.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ronda.