Thomas David Wilson was born on July 5, 1940, in Ellisville, Mississippi, to Lessie and Walter Wilson. The youngest of thirteen children, he accepted Christ at an early age and carried his faith throughout his life.
Raised on a family farm, Tom learned the values of perseverance and parsimony. Encouraged by a mentor, his participation in 4‑H inspired him to pursue higher education. He graduated from Jackson State University in 1964, becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree, and later received a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University.
During his junior year, Tom met Dorothy Jean Penro. They married in Cleveland in 1968 and had one child, Miesha LeAnne Wilson, in 1971. Although they divorced in 1988, they remarried each other in 2003, ultimately bookending forty years of marriage. Together, they achieved notoriety and prosperity.
Tom dedicated thirty years to education, serving as an assistant principal and teacher in the East Cleveland and Cleveland Municipal School Districts. He also faithfully served at Living Truth Center in many roles, including choir member, board member, and treasurer.
Tom loved life—Cleveland sports, healthy living, meaningful conversations, and greeting everyone with warmth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, twelve siblings, and wife. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Miesha Wilson Headen; his grandsons, R. Carl Headen, Jr. and Thomas Headen; a host of nieces and nephews; and Taylor McGill.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at The Living Truth Center, 1850 Belmore Rd., East Cleveland OH 44112. Repast immediately following the service.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Painesville.
