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Former Football Letterman and Board of Trustees Member Gary Wilson Passes Away
7/28/2026 10:30:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke University football letterman and Trustee Emeritus Gary L. Wilson passed away June 30 at the age of 86.
Wilson lettered the 1960 and 1961 seasons at Duke under Hall of Fame head coach Bill Murray. The Blue Devils went 8-3 in the 1960 campaign while claiming the ACC Championship and Cotton Bowl crown. The squad was ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press final poll. A year later, Wilson and Duke posted a 7-3 mark, repeated as ACC champions and closed the season with a 37-13 victory over Notre Dame to finish the year ranked 20th in the Associated Press final poll.
A native of Alliance, Ohio, Wilson graduated from Trinity College in 1962. He served on the Duke University Board of Trustees from 1993–2005. He is the former chairman of Northwest Airlines Corporation and served on the boards of directors of The Walt Disney Company and Yahoo! Inc.
Wilson is survived by his beloved wife, Jane; his three sons Derek T'86 M.B.A'90 P'15, Christopher, and Hale T'20, and their wives, Christen and Ginger; his grandchildren, Truman, Tate, Trinity T'15, Lily, and C.D.; his great-granddaughter, Penny Jean; and his nephew, Quentin. He also leaves behind those he loved as his own: Jane's children, her son Mackenzie, Camille and her husband, Will, and Camille's children, Scarlett and Waylon, who knew him as their grandfather.
Wilson and his family have long been supporters of Duke, with a special commitment to Blue Devil athletics. His generous philanthropy spanned decades with the Wilson Gate at Wallace Wade Stadium and Wilson Recreation Center named to recognize his generosity of both time and treasure. Wilson's legacy will continue to be felt by the countless students, student-athletes and members of the Duke community for decades to come.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Strive.
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