JAMES ARTHUR WILSON JR.

James Arthur Wilson, Jr. M.D., 70, passed away suddenly, just after midnight, Mon., May 5, 2014.  Wilson was born on March 13, 1944. He graduated from Andalusia High School in 1962, from Auburn University in 1967 and from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School in 1971. Wilson received his post-graduate medical training at the University of South Florida in 1972. He had a long and distinguished career at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla. He worked as an emergency room physician at that hospital upon completion of his internship at Tampa General Hospital and remained in that department until the time of his death.

Wilson was certified by the National and Florida Boards of Medical Examiners and was also board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. James was a member of the American Medical Association, the Hillsboro County Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association and the American Heart Association. He was certified, as an instructor in advanced cardiac life support, basic trauma life support and advanced trauma life support. He held teaching appointments in paramedic training with Hillsborough Community College and in advanced cardiac life support with the American Heart Association. Wilson had emergency medical services affiliations with Tampa Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Emergency Medical Services.

He served as an active member of the National Disaster Committee and the Hillsborough County Medical Association Disaster Committee. He had an active role in developing and drilling the disaster plans for Hillsborough County. Wilson served on the Infectious Disease Committee, the Disaster Committee and the Trauma Audit Committee at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He also chaired the St. Joseph’s Hospital Disaster Committee. He was appointed by Hillsborough County for the Emergency Medical Planning Council and was assistant director for the Hillsborough County Peace-Time Mass Casualty Planning Board.

Wilson wrote, “Tampa Fire Rescue Standing Orders and Protocols,” as well as, “ St. Joseph’s Hospital Disaster Response Manual.” He was recognized by the City of Tampa in 1977 for his training of Tampa Fire Rescue Paramedics and received a commendation in 1979 from Tampa for serving as medical advisor for the Fire Rescue Division of the City of Tampa.

Wilson was an extremely generous and kind individual who loved his French bulldogs. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid Auburn football fan that followed the team each season. It was always easy to know if Wilson was on duty in the ER because he usually had the piped in music playing country hits, not your standard office music.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mary; sister, Anne of San Antonio; his two children, Jennifer of Tampa and Jay of Atlanta; and his grandchildren, Paige, Courtney and James IV.

The family asks that donations be made to the Auburn University Foundation: 317 S. College Street, Auburn, Alabama 36849 in lieu of flowers. Please note your donation, “In Memory of James A. Wilson, Jr., M.D. ’67.”  A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Mon., May 12, at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Chapel in Tampa.