Thomas E. Wilson Jr.

Thomas E. Wilson Jr. died on his farm on August 1, 2021. Tom was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1944. He lived there until he went off to college in New England, then was commissioned as an officer in the Army when he graduated in 1966. He was honorably discharged after serving two tours in Vietnam, during which he was decorated for bravery. Upon returning to the States, he was drawn to the wilds of Alaska, where he learned to make traditional wooden dog sleds and put together a dog team that won second place in the North American Freight Championship. He met his wife, Donna Townshend, when they were both cast in a community theatre production of "My Three Angels," and swept her off her feet. They spent several years together in Alaska before deciding to move south to Vermont to pursue their dream of living on a farm. They bought the old Dimock Orchard in Topsham, VT in 1975 and began the work of reclaiming the fields and orchards, which had not been worked by the previous owners. Over the years Tom cleared acres of hayfields, built barns and houses, raised sheep, pressed cider, worked with wood, and homeschooled his children. He loved Jesus Christ, his wife, his kids, his neighbors, his country, and his farm (in approximately that order). He is survived by his wife Donna; his children, Aurora McClain (Tom), David (Jen), Grace (Ely Stuart), and Justice (Rachel); and his grandchildren, Jack and Charlie. Please join us to celebrate his life and share food together at 4PM on Saturday August 14 at Peaceful Pastures Farm, 51 Karl Nye Rd, East Topsham, VTHale Funeral Home in Bradford is honored to have cared for Tom.

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