Posted on Apr 7, 2023
Carl Wilkes, the first Black mayor in Johnson County, dies at 80
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Wilkes and his wife of 61 years, Wanda, lived in Merriam, Kansas, for nearly six decades. He served two terms as the mayor of Merriam, from 2001 to 2009, and was "instrumental" in the town's growth.
Carl Wilkes, the first Black mayor of a Johnson County city, has died.
According to his obituary, he died Thursday, March 28, at the age of 80.
Wilkes served two terms as the mayor of Merriam, from 2001 to 2009.
Born on May 18, 1942 in Haskell, Okla., Wilkes moved to Olathe and then to Merriam, according to his obituary.
He and his wife of 61 years, Wanda, lived in Merriam for nearly six decades, according to a statement from the city of Merriam published last week upon news of Wilkes’ death.
Carl Wilkes, the first Black mayor of a Johnson County city, has died.
According to his obituary, he died Thursday, March 28, at the age of 80.
Wilkes served two terms as the mayor of Merriam, from 2001 to 2009.
Born on May 18, 1942 in Haskell, Okla., Wilkes moved to Olathe and then to Merriam, according to his obituary.
He and his wife of 61 years, Wanda, lived in Merriam for nearly six decades, according to a statement from the city of Merriam published last week upon news of Wilkes’ death.
Carl Wilkes, the first Black mayor in Johnson County, dies at 80
Posted from kcur.orgPosted in these groups: 
Merriam
American History
Merriam American History
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."‘Instrumental’ in Merriam’s growth
In 2004, the city council approved the redevelopment of what is now Merriam Village, a retail area located near Johnson Drive and Interstate 35 that now includes the IKEA store visible from the highway.
“Former Mayor Carl Wilkes was instrumental in approving the concept of Merriam Village, which eventually became the successful area with IKEA, QuikTrip and Hobby Lobby,” said Jenna Gant, Merriam’s city communications and public engagement manager.
In 2006, then-U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore entered Wilkes’ name in the Congressional Record as part of a list of Black Johnson County “trailblazers.”
In his entry, Moore noted that Wilkes won his first term as Merriam’s mayor by just two votes and also played a key role in establishing Johnson County’s first-ever public transportation program for the elderly called “Dial-A-Ride.”..
..."‘Instrumental’ in Merriam’s growth
In 2004, the city council approved the redevelopment of what is now Merriam Village, a retail area located near Johnson Drive and Interstate 35 that now includes the IKEA store visible from the highway.
“Former Mayor Carl Wilkes was instrumental in approving the concept of Merriam Village, which eventually became the successful area with IKEA, QuikTrip and Hobby Lobby,” said Jenna Gant, Merriam’s city communications and public engagement manager.
In 2006, then-U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore entered Wilkes’ name in the Congressional Record as part of a list of Black Johnson County “trailblazers.”
In his entry, Moore noted that Wilkes won his first term as Merriam’s mayor by just two votes and also played a key role in establishing Johnson County’s first-ever public transportation program for the elderly called “Dial-A-Ride.”..
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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