Dr. Jim Wilkins

Dr. James Wilkins was promoted into the arms of his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, after a lengthy illness on December 25, 2017.  He was born March 18, 1931, and was the middle son of a family of eleven children.  He became an ordained minister at the age of 20.  During his 67 years in the ministry he taught in 5 colleges for over 21 years and preached or taught in excess of 40,000 times.  Dr. Wilkins had a prominent part in starting 13 local churches plus two bible colleges.  During his lifetime, Dr. Wilkins authored over 82 books or booklets with a combined circulation of over 1.5 million books in the United States.  Several of the books have been translated into foreign languages, and Dr. Wilkins’ books are currently used as textbooks in several colleges.

Dr. James Wilkins is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Louella, the mother of his five children, and beloved second wife, Penny, brothers Alfred Wilkins, Joe Wilkins, Wayne Wilkins, Clinton Wilkins, Jack Wilkins, Sam Wilkins, Charlie Wilkins and sister Faye La Due, and great grandson Levi Bowmer. He is survived by his sister Margaret Willis of Marble Falls, TX, and brother Dr. John Wilkins of Citrus Heights, CA, five children, Alanna Capps of Rodeo, CA, Lyndol Wilkins, Michelle Wilkins, and Paul Wilkins of Sacramento, CA, and Jaimi Wilkins of Euless, TX. He greatly enjoyed and was very proud of his eleven grandchildren, Alan Capps, Olivia White, Rebekah Wilson, Sarah Flores, Danny Capps, Jenae Bowmer, Korey Finch, Trey Wilkins, Klay Finch, Lauren Wilkins and Kyler Finch, and eleven surviving great-grandchildren.  The family would also like to acknowledge Dr. Brian McMath, Pastor of the Valley Baptist Church in Espanola, New Mexico, and Abel and Betty Roybal among others who worked tirelessly to extend the ministry of Dr. Wilkins in his final stretch to finish the race he felt was his calling.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018, at 10:00 am, at Valley Baptist Church, 56 Arroyo Seco Circle, Espanola, NM, 87532. Outdoor graveside burial service will be officiated by his brother, Dr. John Wilkins on Thursday, January 4th, 2018, at 10:00 am, at Sylvan Cemetery, 7401 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA, 95610. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to New Testament Ministries in care of Valley Baptist Church. The family of Dr. Jim Wilkins has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com

A favorite poem of Dr. Wilkins was “Only One Life Twill Soon Be Past” by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say, ”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.