Roll Call Tribute

Published in Dallas Morning News from July 13 to July 14, 2018

James Edward Wiley Sr.(1925 - 2018)
WILEY SR., James Edward James Edward Wiley, Sr, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, July 8th, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Dallas, TX on September 16th, 1925, the second son of A.P. and Florence Wiley. He graduated from Adamson High School in January 1942 and entered the Corps of Cadets in August later that year upon enrollment at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now Texas A&M University. James studied Civil Engineering, played on the football team, ran track, and quickly earned the nickname, Radio, which stuck with him and his classmates through the years. In his sophomore year, the famed Kiddie Korps went undefeated until losing a close game to rival t.u. in Austin. They had previously trounced a highly ranked Tigers team in Baton Rouge earlier that season; however, knowing their next chapter was WWII service, the festivities around the Orange Bowl took priority. Despite completing Armor Officer Commissioning School at Fort Knox, KY, James went to the Pacific Theater with the Corps of Engineers rather than a Sherman tank in Europe. Not yet 20 years of age, James assumed command of a Japanese POW Camp at Finschhafen, New Guinea, with over 750 prisoners through the end of the war. Returning to College Station, he completed his engineering degree in May 1948. Immediately following graduation, he started his career with Robert E. McKee in their Dallas office. As an estimator, superintendent, and project manager, he helped build many prominent additions to post-war Dallas, including the Federal Reserve Bank, Moody Coliseum, and the "new" Parkland Hospital. In addition to commencing his professional career, he started an even more far-reaching legacy: his family. Radio's pursuit and earnest wooing of Virginia Vaughan rewarded him with their marriage on October 23rd, 1948. To James, she would always be Ginger, and they proceeded to raise four boys in North Dallas, a change of scenery from their childhoods in Oak Cliff. At University Park United Methodist Church, James and Virginia taught Sunday School and established foundations of faith in their sons who sang in the choirs and were active in the youth ministry. In 1960, he left McKee to join his father and brother at Wiley Brothers General Contractors and Investment Builders. They adopted the popular model of building long-block warehouses and sub-dividing them for multi-tenant occupancy in the fast-expanding industrial parks in what became the Stemmons Corridor. Over the years, two of his four sons joined Wiley Brothers realizing the construction and management of a consequential portfolio of industrial warehouse buildings throughout Dallas County. James deeply appreciated the formation and education he received at Texas A&M, and he spent his Former Student life working through the Memorial Student Center (MSC) to make prospects for future Former Students even brighter. James and Virginia, along with A.P. and Earline Wiley, endowed the MSC Wiley Lecture Series (WLS) to provide a recurring annual forum focused on foreign affairs featuring national and global leaders and heads of state. More than the financial contributions, Radio loved being in Aggieland often and sought out any and all students to impart his lessons and listen to their present triumphs and challenges. Texas A&M honored his contributions by awarding him their highest honor as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1990. When the gift of grandchildren arrived, Grandpapa embraced that role with unsurpassed expertise. He knew, long before it was popularly prescribed, that a great big and tall grandparent should get down at toddler level on the carpet to play with blocks and puzzles. Before the days of online banking, James invited his grandchildren to accompany him into Downtown Dallas to tour them through bank lobbies, the Central Business District tunnel network, grab an Icee at the former H.L. Green's, and during Christmas school breaks, lunch at the rotating Antares in Reunion Tower. To celebrate high school graduations, Grandpapa and Grandmama would treat the graduate to a unique trip destinations included Bermuda, Hawaii, cruises on the Columbia and St Lawrence Rivers, and Alaska. He motivated without commanding and always led by example, and his family will continue to thrive from his leadership. James is preceded in death by his parents, Florence and A.P. Wiley, Sr and his brother A.P. Wiley, Jr. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Virginia; his 4 sons and their wives, Jim (Karen), Alan (Melinda), Don (Julia), and Glen (Ann); 8 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. The Wiley family is immensely grateful for the unfailing care of James tenderly provided by Eunice, Asege, Janet, Funmi, and Mike. A celebratory memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary at University Park United Methodist Church (UPUMC), 4024 Caruth Blvd, 75225 at 11am on Saturday, July 14th. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alice P. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund at UPUMC or to the .