David F. Wilson

David F. Wilson, 77, passed away on Friday, April, 2, 2004, surrounded by family in his home. David Fillmore Wilson was born on October 19, 1926, in Washburn, ND, to Leo E. and Josephine Indseth Wilson. His Grandmother, Carrie, was midwife to his birth and he was born in the four-poster bed that remains in his home today. His childhood and early adult years were spent in Falkirk and Washburn. He received the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Washburn High School, and immediately enlisted in the army at age 17, serving during the final years of WWII. He was assigned to the 15th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron attached to the 7th Armored Division, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant during his 26 months of service.David attended Jamestown College for two years, where he met his wife, Lorraine "Holly" Holechek. They were married in 1948 in LaMoure, ND. They moved to Greeley, Co. where they both received B.A. degrees from Colorado State University. David majored in music. While he was a student, David organized and directed the first school band at Johnstown, CO. After graduation, David taught at Max, ND, for two years and then in Hazen, ND. He received special recognition in 1985 for having composed the original Hazen school song, which is still used today. In 1959, David and his family moved to Dillon, Montana where he spent the following ten years teaching music at Beaverhead County High School. He earned a Masters Degree in Music from Western Montana University. In 1969, he moved with his family to Fargo, ND, and taught band at Agassiz Junior High School until his retirement in 1988. David had a deep love of all genres of music, from Dixieland to Opera, and excelled as a trumpet player. Through teaching, he tried to encourage every student to discover the joy of music.David was a member of the American Legion and the ND State Legion Band. He was a trumpet soloist with the Bismarck Elks Band and also directed the Fargo Elks Band, the Fargo Post #2 Legion Band and the El Zagel Shrine Band. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Moorhead Country Club and spent many happy days playing golf with his "over the hill gang" and with his wife, Holly. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo. David enjoyed hunting and fishing in the mountains of Montana. He was a voracious reader and student of history. He also enjoyed baking bread from scratch.David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Irven Jacobson. He is survived by his wife, Holly; sons Lee Wilson, Portland, Or and Jay Wilson, Fargo, ND; daughter Jody Loren Hulber, Macungie, PA; sisters Marjorie Herb Parker, Minot, ND and Zoe Sid Van Ness, Bellevue, WA; grandsons Brett Wilson, Minneapolis, MN and Casey Wilson, Portland, OR and granddaughter Allison Wilson, Portland, OR. He was dearly loved, and will be missed.Memorial contributions may be directed to the MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center.