We are saddened to report the death on Saturday, 23 August 2003, of Dr. James N. Wilson, who established the study of geography at California State University, Long Beach, in 1950. He taught geography here from 1950 until his retirement in 1985.

His family requests that donations be made to any geography scholarship fund in his name in lieu of flowers. Directions are available here.

Dr. James Newton Wilson, pioneering professor and beloved husband and father, died August 23, 2003. He came to Long Beach in 1950 to start the Geography Department at California State University, Long Beach.

Born in Erie, PA, on August 10, 1915, he attended Edinboro State College, where he met Marjorie Parkman. They were married on September 30, 1935.

He taught high school in Warren, PA, before attending Columbia University in New York City on a Dean's Scholarship, receiving a master's degree in geography. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was a communications officer in the Pacific Theater during WWII. At the conclusion of the war, he and his family, now numbering five, returned to New York, where he completed work on his doctorate degree from Columbia University in political geography in 1949.

After one year of teaching at Towson State College in Towson, MD, Dr. Wilson was called to Long Beach State College, where he remained on the faculty until his retirement in 1985. A true geographer, he traveled extensively throughout the world and, upon retirement, he lectured on cruise ships in Alaska and the Orient.

Jim Wilson loved music and sang in the Lakewood Village Community Church choir for 44 years. He was an avid tennis player and member of the Old Ranch Tennis Club.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, sons James Noel Wilson (Bear) and Thomas Joel Wilson (Noelle), daughter Jean Wilson Kenin (Stephen), grandsons Noah Kenin, Dylan Kenin, and Cary Wilson, granddaughter Fern Wilson, step-grandsons James Rodgers (Josie) and Bradley Roelens, and step-great grandsons Wilson Rodgers and Taylor Rodgers.

Donations may be made to the Geography Department at California State University, Long Beach, specifying that the donation is made in memory of Dr. James N. Wilson and is to be applied to the scholarship funds.

Donations for this purpose may be made online by clicking here. Select "Geography Department" under the College of Liberal Arts listing in the "Funds will be applied to" box. Under "Your comments or questions," please indicate that your donation is for the Geography scholarship funds in memory of Dr. James N. Wilson.

You can also make a gift by check. To do so, please provide your name, address, telephone number(s), and your intention to donate to the Geography Department scholarship fund in the memory of Dr. James N. Wilson with a check made out to "California State University, Long Beach Foundation" and mail it to:

California State University, Long Beach Foundation
6300 State University Drive, Suite #332
Long Beach, CA 90815
Attention: Cashier

Alternatively, you can call 1 (562) 985-8491.