A father of four who had just landed his dream job, died suddenly at age 38, on August 30.
Todd Wilkerson had recently become Program Director and Assistant Professor in sports management at the University of Kansas.
He was once told that the best he would ever do would be flipping burgers. That lit a fire in him, and he went on to get his bachelor’s, master’s and later his doctoral degree.
The family is still waiting for a coroner’s report to tell them the cause of death.
More from the Kansas City Star:
It is no secret to anyone who met Todd Wilkerson that he was a big guy. Standing at 6-foot-4, his size was the first thing you’d notice. Although perhaps physically imposing to strangers, those who knew Wilkerson say he was a gentle giant who always had a smile and a kind word.
“We called him our big guy not just because of his size but because he was larger than life,” says his aunt Tiffani Officer. “He was so funny and liked to laugh, but he always loved seeing a smile on other people’s faces. We miss our big guy.”
Wilkerson, who recently became program director and assistant professor in sports management at the University of Kansas, died Aug. 30 at the age of 38. The family is still waiting for a coroner’s report to tell them the cause of death. He had posted on his Facebook page about recent health issues during the summer that had caused him problems.
Wilkerson, a Kansas City, Kansas, native, faced challenges growing up that would influence his contributions to his community. Overcoming weight issues early on and getting into sports formed Wilkerson’s lifelong love of athletics. Playing football and basketball, he learned early in life the importance of excelling in the classroom as well as on the field. But, according to his aunt, many thought Wilkerson didn’t have a chance outside of sports.
“At one point when Todd was in high school, he was told the best he would ever do would be flipping hamburgers. That lit a fire in him to go on and get his bachelor’s, master’s and later his doctoral degree. He wanted to teach his students they could do whatever they set their minds to, and he would be there to support them,” says Officer.
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“He accepted the position with KU for two short weeks,” says Officer. “His dream was to teach there at what he called the Mecca of the Midwest. He wanted to reach his students and gave it all he had. He wanted to be impactful in the lives of those he taught.”
Wilkerson, a father of four, will be remembered as a great parent, always there for his children and making sure they had the tools needed to tackle life.
“He loved his kids. He tried to give them everything that he had. He wanted to see his children grow up and be successful, and he wanted them to see him being successful at KU,” says his aunt.
