Thaddeus Dean Wilkins , 93, of Vero Beach, FL died Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at home.
Mr. Wilkins was born March 7, 1915 in Cowpens, SC and moved to Vero Beach in 1975 from Atlanta, GA..
In World War II, he joined the Merchant Marines in 1943. He was trained at Sheepshead Bay Maritime Training Center in New York and was transferred to the Specialized Services of the Army Transportation Corp. He was then trained at the Naval Air Station in New Orleans. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the Navy, paid by the Army. He served in the South Pacific arena and entered Hiroshima five days after the atomic bombing of that city. He served in the military until 1946 when he returned to his job with L. G. Balfour Company in North Carolina. He was transferred to Atlanta in 1949 and retired from the firm in 1973.
In 1975 he moved to Vero Beach and established Wilkins Brothers, Inc. and Premier Island Properties, a real estate firm in Indian River County. He served on the Council of Indian River Shores and was a former president of the Rotary Club. He was also a 33rd degree Mason.
Mr. Wilkins was a Paul Harris Fellow and served on the board of Youth for Christ. Prior to moving to Vero Beach he was a deacon at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
His well known philanthropic endeavors included raising funds for CareNet Pregnancy Center, the Hospice Foundation, the Annual Prayer Breakfast, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Indian River County as well as numerous other organizations ministering to people in need.
He was a life member of the Capital City Club in Atlanta where he played with the legendary Gangsome. He was also a charter member of the University Yacht Club and the Falcons Stadium Club.
An active sportsman, Mr. Wilkins was a member of the John's Island Club since 1971, and was the club champion in both golf and tennis.
Survivors include daughters Cindy Rooker of Atlanta and Highlands, NC; Lynn Hamilton of Atlanta, GA. and Abigail Babcock of Vero Beach and Stowe, VT; plus nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren..
Service: A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach on Saturday, July 5 at 1:00 P.M. An additional service will be held at the Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta on Monday.