‘Never give up Jesus:’ KYTN mourns death of beloved Highland Academy Dean

On June 16, 2021, family, friends and students were saddened to hear the news that Steve Wilson, Highland Academy Dean of Men, passed away after battling COVID-19 for several months. Those who knew Wilson described him as a loving man, caring teacher and selfless friend.

“He knew no strangers,” said Rhonda Wilson, Wilson’s wife for more 41 years. “He was friends with everybody, and he was helping people all the time.”

Since the beginning of his career more than 40 years ago, Wilson taught in the Adventist education system throughout different conferences of the North America Division (NAD). In 2015, he was called to serve as the Dean of Men at Highland Academy in Portland, TN.

“[Wilson] was a joy to work with,” said Chadd Watkins, Highland Academy principal. “He was a great mentor and friend to the students on campus. In fact, the students had a lot of nicknames for Steve. … [like] grandpa, pop, old man, or things like that; those were all said in terms of endearment.”

Many of Wilson’s past and current students, like Highland Academy Senior Gabriel Barreda, have expressed their condolences and have said they will miss the man who inspire them time after time.

 “Dean Wilson was the wisest person I’ve ever met,” Barreda said. “I could trust him with my problems, and he would always give the best advice. He was loving; and as I got closer to him, I consider him to be part of my family.”

 Wilson loved nature, gymnastics and water skiing. But his number one passion, according to Rhonda, was to bring souls to feet of Jesus. On Friday, May 21, Wilson was scheduled to speak during the senior consecration program at Highland Academy. But when graduation weekend came, he was too weak to talk.

“I asked my daughter to ask him what he would want to tell the senior class of 2021,” Rhonda said. “His words to them, he wrote it on a whiteboard, was ‘Never give up Jesus.’ That that was the life he lived. He never gives gave up on Jesus, never in his life.”  

Wilson’ memorial service was held on June 26 at Highland Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. KYTN’s education department presented his wife with the SDA Educator Memorial Medallion and Certificate of Service to honor Steve’s faithful work in SDA Education.