I'm now the oldest Wild

My uncle's ashes, held for internment in the family plot (5 generations already) in Noblesville, Indiana

John David & William Logan Wild

Sadly, following the loss of my Uncle Jim, I'm now the oldest, by two years, of the Wild family in Florida.  That's my cousin, William Logan Wild, standing next to me in the parking lot of The Christian Church in the Wildwood, near Weeki Wachee, Florida, where the memorial service was held.

My uncle's health took a turn for the worst while we were in Hawaii, and he passed away several weeks ago at age 87.  My dad, "Colonel Jack", who was his older brother, passed away eight years ago at age 86.  Dad called Jim "PeeWee".  Jim hated it.  I don't recall having given my little brother a nick name - maybe we learn over time and don't follow every nutty family tradition.

Aside from the fact gravity is conspiring to put me into the ground (as seen in the picture with my taller cousin Bill), I hope to have another twenty good years left on this big blue marble.  My mom, whom I'm convinced "enjoys poor health" is still in there pitching at age 94.  She still lives in the same house (since 1955) in Indianapolis, the ancestral home of the Wilds.  She turned 94 on February 20th, which was also the day the Lord took my Uncle Jim home.

God bless my little brother, age 56, for watching Mary Catherine Stair Wild, born 2-20/20 (although her eyes now require glasses).  His name is George Daniel Wild, named after my mom's uncle and her grandfather.  I'm John David, not sure why (maybe it's biblical, could be the UPS guy), but most likely because my mother had the "naming rights" and was determined I'd not become John Franklin Wild IV.  Dad was J.F. Wild III, his father was Jr., and John Franklin ("Frank") was the banker.  My son's middle name is Benjamin - none in the family (although his visage is on the five dollar bill....Franklin, get it?  OK, another reach).

Back to Uncle Jim, or James Pierce Wild.  His mother was Lucille Pierce (of the Franklin Pierce ancestry)..........gee, there's Franklin again.  Cousin Bill is William Logan Wild.  His mother is Margaret Logan Wild.  Aha - now we're starting to understand American family naming traditions.

My daughter is Caitlin Case Wild.  The Case comes from my wife's mother's name (Nancy Case Frampton).  I wanted to also give my daughter my mother's maiden name, but Elizabeth balked at a double middle name of Caitlin Stair Case Wild.  I told her two middle names (ex. George Herbert Walker Bush) was "oh so social", and with a Stair Case she could easily climb that ladder.

Well, hopefully the next time we get together (the William Wilds of Atlanta, the Julie Wild Malott's of Spring Hill, and the many grandchildren AND even a great grandchild, will be for a wedding and not a funeral.   It was a nice sendoff for Uncle Jim, another member of the Greatest Generation and a U.S. Navy veteran.  Bill also is a Navy vet, and his son Daniel just retired from the Air Force.  And there's another family military tradition, but we'll save that for another day, another blog.

James Pierce Wild, USN, I salute you for your service, and love you for being the father figure in the family for the last eight years.  Now the title falls to me, and I'll wear it proudly until my demise.