Kenneth A. Wilson, Jr.

Kenneth Alden Wilson Jr., a treasured husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on August 11, 2025 after battling a short illness.

Born on July 29, 1944 to the late Kenneth Alden Wilson Sr. and Grace Walls Wilson, Ken was born in Cumberland, MD. He had the privilege to be raised in a few cities across the great state of North Carolina that he loved so well, including Greenville, Currituck and Winston Salem. He earned a BS in Political Science and a Minor in Sociology from Guilford College in Greensboro. (Class of ‘66) Always one to follow his dreams, Ken tried his hand studying law at Wake Forest University, before ultimately pursuing his passion for connecting with people and sharing his strong sense of moral justice.

Ken started his career in the Federal Government in 1969 with the then US Civil Service Commission (OPM). Ken had an easy way with people and keen eye for detail and thrived in his career as an Investigator and Special Agent at ICA, VOA and USIA. He proudly rounded out his fulfilling 37-year career as a Personnel Security Officer at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

A North Carolinian at heart, Ken chose to raise his family in Manassas, VA staying in close proximity to Washington, DC. He had eclectic taste in music and literature, attending concerts spanning from jazz and blues, to rock and was known to juggle several genres of books simultaneously, from thrillers to wildlife conservation magazines. Ken could often be found caring for the family pets, growing beautiful tomatoes in his garden and cheering on his beloved Redskins and Nationals alongside his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Karen. Other pastimes included OBX daydreaming, fishing, collecting baseball cards and meeting up weekly with his best friend, Bill, to play racquetball and tennis, a pastime he enjoyed deep into retirement.

Ken was loyal and steadfast. He enjoyed the simple practice of keeping a daily diary like his father before him. A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, Ken found great solace in his faith as well as a profound sense of peace when communing with nature.

His daughter and grandchildren will remember his warmth and genuine enthusiasm. He was an active grandpa and reveled in the simple joys of their day to day activities. Ken was never too consumed with his own schedule to forego an after school pickup, or theatrical performance. The family shares recent memories of him beaming from the audience as both grandchildren attended the Theatre of Dare summer camp this past June.

Always up for a board game or a round of chess, he could also be found lovingly going toe to toe with his grandson, each sharing a thirst for obscure factoids pertaining to all things geography and history.

In true serendipitous fashion, Ken was able to accomplish a life long dream of living in Duck, NC, moving to the very same street where he enjoyed decades of the best vacation memories possible with family and friends. With Ken at the helm, friends were always welcomed and became a part of the family.

He leaves his wife, Karen (Daley) Wilson; his daughter and partner in crime, Kelly Wilson Miller (Andrew) and his cherished grandchildren Maxwell, and Paisley Miller, all of Duck, NC.

A simple burial (unlike this long obituary) took place at Southern Shores Cemetery, Southern Shores, NC on August 14, 2025. A gathering is planned later this year to honor Ken’s life with those who adored him as we did.

Ken prioritized giving back. In the spirit of supporting the local community he so loved, donations can be made in Ken’s name to any of the following: ‘Surfing for Autism’ https://surfingforautism.org, the ‘Beach Food Pantry’ https://beachfoodpantry.org/food-pantry and ‘Duck Church’ https://www.duckchurch.org Please leave a message of comfort for the family at gallopuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.