Former Congressman Wilson Passed Away From Cardio Pulmonary Arrest, LUFKIN, February 11, 2010 - Memorial Health System of East Texas announced today that former Democratic U.S. Congressman Charles Wilson passed away after suffering from cardio pulmonary arrest. He was pronounced dead at 12:16 p.m. in the hospital's emergency room. The 76 year old Congressman served the Second Congressional District for twelve consecutive terms. In 2007 Wilson's life was portrayed in the movie Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks as the flamboyant Congressman.
According to family friend Buddy Temple, Wilson experienced difficulty breathing after leaving a business meeting in Lufkin on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Immediately Temple began driving to the hospital's emergency department when he noticed an Emergency Medical Response EMS)vehicle parked nearby. Paramedics came to his aid and transported Wilson to the Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin, Memorial Health System's largest acute care facility. Wilson was pronounced dead on arrival.
Wilson underwent a heart transplant in September 2007. Since then he has been under the care of physicians at Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin. He is survived by his wife Barbara, Sharon Allison-sister, a niece and nephew. At this time funeral arrangements are pending.
Upon retirement, Wilson and his wife Barbara returned to Lufkin. Wilson considered his greatest accomplishments as Congressman to be the creation of the VA (Veterans Administration) Outpatient Hospital in Lufkin, which was renamed after Wilson in 2005. He also was instrumental in the establishment of the Big Thicket National Preserve. Wilson played a big part in securing the construction of Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer of missile components, in Lufkin. As a young Texas legislator, Wilson introduced the state's sales tax. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956 and served in the Navy from
1956 to 1960.
The entire hospital press conference can be viewed online at memorialhealth.org.
