Obituary of Carlton E. Wilson

Carlton Emmitt Wilson, affectionately known to most friends, family, and many of the city of Camden as “Muscles”, a nickname that was given to him as a baby. He was born to Joseph and Gloria Wilson on August 27,1955. When you think of what it is to be a resident of Camden, New Jersey, Muscles is what comes to mind. He lived his life as a resident of the city and loved Camden, but his allegiance was always too downtown where he spent almost his entire life. Going through the Camden Public School System he attended Central Elementary School. He was a part of the first group of students to attend and graduate from Lanning Square Elementary. He attended Pyne Point Junior High and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1973. While attending he played various sports such as: football, basketball, and track. Working briefly after graduation, he entered the United States Air Force and served from 1974-77 where he was discharged honorably. Upon his return he came back to Camden to the infamous 3rd Ward as he affectionately referred to it as. He also attended classes at Camden County College. It was during this time at Camden County that he met, courted, and later married Kathy Robins in 1980. From that union they were blessed with 6 children. He started his basketball coaching career with the summer recreation league in the city in 1977. From there he started mentoring the children in the city of Camden and breeding a championship mentality. During his years coaching with the summer recreation league, he was in a constant battle with one of his closest friends’ years in and out for the league titles. He spent over 20 years with Camden City Board of Education. Starting out as a long-term substitute teacher, he then changed course and became a security guard spending most of those years spent at Morgan Village Middle School. While there at Morgan Village, he was able to develop numerous basketball players and prepare them for their next level in high school. He accumulated multiple middle school championship titles over those years. He also assisted with the track team at Morgan. From there he has coaching stints at Veterans Middle school where he also won a title. We cannot forget his beloved Centerville Simbas Football where he coached for over a decade as a defensive coordinator. “Mus” ended his coaching career at Lanning Square Elementary School. His coaching resume also included coaching his children in various sports, coaching track at Woodrow Wilson High School, and coaching few seasons with Camden High Basketball under the great Coach Turner. During his years of coaching Muscles can easily be regarded as one of the most decorated coaches in the city amongst the great sporting history of Camden. This accolade came from his time spent between football and basketball in city leagues, summer/winter tournaments, and the public school system. Growing up in the city, if you played a sport at any time from 1975 through 2001 Muscles likely had a helping hand in your development at some point. In 2001 Muscles was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which soon brought an unfortunate end to his coaching career. It was because of this strong influence he had on his family and the community, that in 2016 the former Lanning Square School was which was newly rebuilt and renamed Kipp Norcross Academy honored him with the naming of the school gymnasium after him and his older brother. “Gilbert L. Wilson and Carlton E. Wilson Gymnasium”. His love for community and wanting to make Camden a better place led him to become what was called a “Committee Man” for the 3rd Ward in the 90’s and early 2000’s. He also played an active role in the Bergen-Lanning Neighborhood Association for many years. Muscles was a family man through and through. He had his wish to have a big family as the Wilson Standard seemed to be. Outside of him coaching the only other place he could be seen at was home with his family and children. He never complained or harped on his disease and when asked how is doing he would joyously say “Never Better!”, a line he took from his beloved Uncle Earl. He also would exclaim “Flowin” when asked. After “retiring” he found his enjoyment in the volunteering at his youngest son Kwan’s school, volunteering at The Childrens’ Garden in Camden, listening to his extensive collection of records, and sitting in the backyard enjoying the weather in all seasons with his German Shepherd. Carlton was preceded in death by his father Joseph Wilson, mother Gloria Wilson Christie, brother Gerald Wilson, and sister in law Martha Wilson. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Kathy; daughter Naima (Terrence), sons Asante, Imani (Nyjirah), daughter Makeba, sons Dhamiri, and Kwan; Grandchildren Malachi, Terrence Jr, Taelor, Jaelle, Ja’Nye, Zion, Emory, Zaire, and Zyndeya; brothers Gilbert “Whip” Wilson, Troy Bratten (Theresa), sister Yindra Wilson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and his beloved city of Camden.