Morgan John Wilkerson, Jr., a dedicated family man celebrated among his legion of friends for his generosity, humor and good cooking, died Wednesday morning, soon after becoming ill at home. He was 76.

John touched the lives of thousands of Robeson County Career Center students during his three decades teaching automotive technology. He also volunteered as an advisor for the local campus affiliate of Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Inc., now Skills USA, and was named Teacher of the Year at RCCC in the 1990's.

Very vocal in his support for VICA, john once said it is especially important in Robeson County because of the hands-on learning opportunities provided to small communities dogged by poverty and unemployment. Typical of his character, though, he didn't just talk the talk; he walked the walk. As a volunteer advisor, john and his students traveled to workshops and competition s across the state .

The son of M.J . and Ethel Wilkerson , John grew up on a farm near Fairmont. His only sibling , Harvey, died in infancy. John was very much involved in the workings of farm l i fe, and won prizes for corn, cotton, and tobacco production as a Future Farmers o f America member at Fairmont High School, Class of '58. He attended Oakton Baptist Church with his family, where he became acquainted with some of his life-long friends .

John enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and spent a tour of du t y in Germany . After discharge, he joined Lumberton Ford Motor Company as a parts manager, a position he later held for several years at Rawls Chevrolet in Fairmont. During that tim e, he attended night classes to earn a teaching degree.

By then, John had a thriving, happy family . He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Harrington Wilkerson, whom h lovingly called "Miss Peaches". They have a son, John Scott Wilkerson, who is married to the former Suzanne Perry, and a daughter , Sharon, who is married to Barry Leonard. John is also survived by two granddaughters, Jessica, who is married to Chris Davis, Alicia Leonard, and two grandsons, Daniel Leonard and Jonathan Wilkerson . He had one great - granddaughter, Addalynn Irene Davis.

Despite his many work and personal obligations, John always found time to help strangers outside his immediate work, hom e and church families. He was a member and served in various offices in several fraternal and civic organizations; a charter member of the Fairmont Ja y cees, as a Mason and a Shriner.

Few things pleased him more, though, than getting up a large gathering of friends and family to sit around and laugh while Mr. John cooked enormous amounts of food, all the while retelling family stories and spinning tall tales as only he could. He was a consummate planner and organizer, especially when the goal was good, clean fun. Scores of men from Fairmont and beyond, young and old, experienced the joy of Cape Hatteras surf fishing, thanks to John, who led a caravan of trucks to the Outer Banks each fall for 28 straight years.

The multitude of friends that have gathered at John's home recently have all shared insight into what made him so special to so many people. One common thread, though, is his outward display of love and affection for everyone he knew. No matter who, no matter the location or situation; one could always count on receiving a huge warm hug and a heartfelt "I love you" from "Big John"! He touched the lives of everyone he met, and he will live on in the laughter and love we all share each time we remember him.