Wilson Canafax

HURST -- The Rev. Wilson Canafax, 95, passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Wilson's honor to Mission Outreach at First United Methodist Church of Hurst, Christian Care Centers or Glen Lake United Methodist Camp. Born Oct. 11, 1918, in Millsap, Wilson was in the succession of ministers, starting with his great-grandfather in the Central Texas area in 1853 as a local preacher in the Methodist Protestant Church. He attended grade and high school in Dallas, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. He graduated from Texas Wesleyan University and received his master of divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU; an honorary degree was given by Texas Wesleyan University. Wilson and Bernice were married Sept. 4, 1942, and they began ministry in the Haslet Charge with Keller and Saginaw. During World War II, he served as a chaplain with the U.S. Army in Europe, 1110th Engineer Combat Group and occupational force headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, and assisted in restoring some local churches and pastors in the German Methodist Church. Ordination in ministry was in 1942. Participation in the early life of Glen Lake Camp at Glen Rose was a privilege for him and Bernice with tenure of 25 years in leadership with youth and young adult groups. He always believed it a privilege to be called into ministry and served with commitment and dedication. His time of appointments, both in the effective and retired relation, spanned 60 years. Wilson served in both the Central and North Texas conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. He pastored at United Methodist churches in Fort Worth, St. Luke, Polytechnic, Couts Memorial in Weatherford, Hamilton, Cisco, McKinney, Commerce and Hurst. He also served as director of the Conference Council on Ministries. Wilson was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Bernice; his parents; two brothers; and one sister. Survivors: Son, Johnny Canafax; daughter, Susie Canafax; grandson, Matthew Canafax and wife, Rachel; and great-grandchildren, Elijah, Emma and Caleb Canafax. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wilson Canafax please visit our Sympathy Store.