Jacob Edgeron Wilson

Jacob Edgeron Wilson, 72, of Lincoln, NE, passed away on October 8th, 2026 after a 12 year long battle with multiple myeloma. He was born on September 8th, 1954 in Stillwater, OK to Carol and June Wilson, and grew up on his parent’s farm in Oklahoma with his older brother and his two older sisters.

 

Jake was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend to so many people all across the world. There are not enough words to describe all of the ways in which he impacted the countless people he has touched throughout the course of his life. He was a man of many talents and interests who loved to travel, from Haiti to Kenya to Bangladesh to Malaysia and beyond.

 

He was also a devoted Christian who had a passion for Jesus Christ, and he loved attending services at Christ Place church. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Theological Studies in 2005, and he loved to read and continue to educate himself on theology, aviation, and other subjects throughout his life.

 

He was the president and co-founder of a non-profit organization called Haiti’s Children’s Hope. He truly put his heart and soul into this ministry for God’s children in need in Haiti. HCHO was founded in 2012, and with the help of many people along the way, it has served the children of the community of Leogane, Haiti by providing meals, quality education, medical services, and so much more for over 14 years. HCHO has also co-founded an outgrowth organization called Pendo Hope Foundation in Nakuru, Kenya that has served children in need for many years by providing meals, clothing, school supplies, and other essentials.

 

He had a passion for aviation and served as a pilot for 43 years and an Aviation Safety Inspector for 23 years. After his initial retirement from the FAA in 2014, he continued to pursue his love of aviation and teaching for many more years, until his final retirement from Ignite Flight Academy. 

 

And above all, he was a very loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather to his wife, children, and grandchildren, who he loved very much.

 

He is survived by his wife, Michele Wilson; his children, Dusty (Lindsey) Wilson, Michaela (John) Hoffman, and Sierra Wilson; his stepson, Orion Walsh; his granddaughters, Iris Wilson and Violet Hoffman; his sister, Mary Gidre, and many others who loved him like a father.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carol and June Wilson; his brother Carl Wilson; and his sister Rose Courtright.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 17th, 2026 from 11am to 1pm at Ignite Flight Academy, 1760 W Kearney Ave, Lincoln, NE 68524. (Map: https://goo.gl/maps/CmRSpZpffzTZPn987?g_st=a)

 

To view a livestream of the service please copy and paste this link into your web browser. https://youtube.com/live/YaNcmr3PzwM?feature=share 

 

Inurnment will follow at Yankee Hill Cemetery, 1000 W Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68522.

 

To honor Jacob’s passion for his ministry work, the family welcomes memorial donations to Haiti’s Children’s Hope Organization or Pendo Hope Foundation in lieu of flowers. Checks can be made out to “Haiti’s Children’s Hope Organization”, or entrusted to the family for delivery to Pendo Hope Foundation at a later date.

To donate to HCHO directly, please visit: https://haitischildrenshope.org/donate-to-hch-today/

For more information on Pendo Hope Foundation, please visit: https://pendohope.org/

 

Romans 8:38 – 39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

An excerpt from Jacob Wilson in 2024, reflecting on his 10 year health journey:

Snuggle up and become close to God, family, and friends. Read daily scripture and important books, non-fiction about lives making a difference and loving people. Time was looked at day-by-day and moment-by-moment. Have closure with each day, as if it were your last, in close relationships, work, and God’s purpose in your life and others. Everything and everyday, has vision and purpose, daily survival and be ready to die if need be. Love and service with excellence, became the mantra of the day.

I thank God for survival and comfort. I thank God for mission and purpose. I thank him for friends, family and prayers. Thanks to God for developing leadership and vision this last 10 years. Together with a lot of help and cooperation, I have been able to serve Haiti, Afghanistan and Kenya. Haiti has an active school of 300 current students, Kenya an active Kid’s Club in the countryside the last 2 years of 70 children. Afghanistan is a bit top secret with several airplanes, continuing to serve people in need. The last 3 years I was able to go back to flight instructing. I have completed 28 students, 25 were Certified Flight Instructors. To God be the Glory.