John Thomas Wilson was born on June 18, 1921 in DeWalt, Texas to the late Joe and Hattie Wilson. His parents later divorced and she married Williams Martellis who reared John as a young boy to adult life. He liked hunting and fishing. His passion was baseball. He loved the game and the name "Lefty" was given to him because of his wicked left handed pitch. John played for the Houston Aces and Houston Greyhounds (Negro Minor Leagues). He was asked to tryout for the St. Louis Cardinals, but chose home Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Marlo Thomas, Marvin Zindler and Clark Gable. John worked for Dixon Gun Plant during WWII. He also worked for Sheffield Steel. He later worked as a longshoreman for 28 years, where he retired as a foreman. John married Margaret Fisher on March 30, 1941; to this union six children were born, Bernice Guillory, John Wilson, Jr., Melvin Wilson, and Beverly Wilson. Frank Wilson and Nancy Wilson Hickerson preceded him in death. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
