YOUR AD HERE »

Friends plan memorial for Wilk

Aspen Times StaffAspen, CO Colorado

ASPEN George “Wilk” Wilkinson is coming home to the mountain where he left a legacy.Family and friends are holding a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, on Smuggler Mountain, his life partner, Sharyn Wynter, said Wednesday. She wants everyone who knew Wilkinson join the celebration.”Please walk up and bring a stone, flowers, feathers, or something that you would like to leave with Wilk,” Wynter’s announcement said. Attendees should also bring a dish, as well as champagne or something else to drink. Musician Bobby Mason and friends will play at the memorial. Friends will be welcome to share their thoughts.Wynters said she reserved some of Wilkinson’s ashes to be placed next to those of his dad and brother. Wilkinson buried their ashes on Smuggler Mountain. Wynters said it is important for him to be reunited with his family on the mountain that was such a big part of his life.Wilkinson first visited Aspen in 1960 and fell in love with the area. He lived in Aspen full time until 1995, when he met Wynters and moved to the Los Angeles area.He died at his California home at age 63 in September after a battle with brain cancer.Wilkinson owned about 200 acres of land on Smuggler Mountain and battled with Pitkin County government starting in the late 1980s over the development potential. At one point, the county bulldozed a home he built on the mountain.Wilkinson sold his remaining 170 acres to Pitkin County and the city of Aspen in December 2005. The highly visible land, dissected by the popular Smuggler Mountain Road, will be preserved as open space.The ceremony will take place at the former site of his house, on the second flat area, higher up the road from the viewing platform. The route will be marked in some way from the viewing platform.For more information, e-mail Sharyn Wynters at DrWynters@aol.com