James LaDale Wilson was born in Gastonia, North Carolina on April 14, 1964. He was the middle child to the union of Brenda Wilson and the late James Wilson. He departed this life on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

Dale graduated from Newberry High School, Newberry, FL, in 1982. While there he joined the school band where he played various instruments but fell in love with the trumpet. He had a God-given talent to play. He practiced faithfully and excelled in playing the trumpet. Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted into the United States Marines reporting to Camp Lejeune, North, Carolina. It was no surprise that Dale continued his love for the trumpet by proudly joining the Military Band. After serving in the military, he returned to civilian life at his birthplace of Gastonia. He eventually made his way back to where he grew up, Gainesville, Florida. He lived there for several years before making a full circle back to Gastonia.

He was a free spirit, full of life. After leaving the military Dale developed a love of cooking. He was skilled in the kitchen. He called upon the skills taught by his grandmother. He cooked finger licking summertime barbecues and scrumptious southern style holiday meals. His cooking repertoire extended to baking. On special occasions he loved baking lemon pound cakes and sweet potato pies.

He expanded his cooking selections by working at various restaurants in Georgia and North Carolina. After a brief stay in Powder Springs, GA, relocating to Gastonia a second time, Dale excelled as the best line cook Waffle House (Highway 321) ever had.

He was an old soul who loved to watch sports, old westerns, black and white movies, and lots of laughs watching reruns of Andy Griffin. Family meant the world to him. Amanda and Rodney were more than siblings. Each in their own individual way were his best friends. He loved his children Brittany and Justin dearly. Hanging out with best buddies, Jimmy Love, Garland Williams, the late Elliott “TowPete” Montgomery, and the late Vernard Tate always made for a good time. He and his mother Brenda shared a special bond. After a brief illness, Brenda, with the help of family, took care of her son.

Having grown up in Trinity Unity AME Zion and Friendship Baptist churches, Dale was a child of God. Dale is preceded in death by his father, James A. Wilson; grandmother, Inez Webb; grandmother, Mildred Wilson; Grandfather, Dennis “PawPaw” Wilson Sr; Uncle, Dennis “Det” Wilson Jr.; and Great grandfather, Robert “Pop” Webb. He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Brenda Wilson (Gastonia, NC); daughter, Brittany Day (Gainesville, FL); son, Justin LaDale Wilson (Gastonia, NC); sister, Amanda Wilson-Cooper (Atlanta, GA); brother, Warren Rodney Wilson (Gastonia, NC); Uncle, Kenneth Wilson (Janice) (Charlotte, NC); Aunt, Diane Wilson (Gastonia, NC); nephew, Warren (Drek) Long (Gastonia, NC); niece, Tempest Long (Gastonia, NC); nephew, Connor Cooper (Atlanta, GA); great nephews, Cari and Omari Long; great niece, Jalayah Long (all of Gastonia, NC). Special loved ones: Twana Melissa Anderson-Nava (Dallas, GA); proclaimed sister-n-law Yolanda Long-Sanders (Gastonia, NC) and a host of family members and dear friends.

Viewing at the funeral home on Friday; June 10, 2022 from 6 until 8

Funeral will be Saturday; June 11, 2022 at Mills Chapel Holiness Church, Gastonia at 2:30 p.m. with visitation thirty minutes before the service.