While raised in Montgomery, T.J. Wilkerson graduated from Conroe High School in 1971 where he starred in basketball and track. It was his prowess in the latter sport which sparked a scholarship to the University of North Texas in Denton. There he starred as a key member of a high-level mile relay team while receiving a degree in Journalism. It was this degree which landed him key post-graduate
positions with Exxon and Shell oil companies where his duties included work with a Safety Manual featuring advice to customers.
Along the way, his experiences led him to friendships with many individuals in key positions in various fields of endeavor. For example, his contacts included US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson. This great friendship, in turn, led to a role centered on President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration. Capitalizing on his growing array of impact, his base of operations moved to Washington D.C. with a central focus on the Kennedy Center.
It was in Washington that his affinity for gospel music expanded his reach to multiple areas of the US stemming largely from his association with the “Gospel Heritage Center.” His musical reference
came to include a link to famous singer Diana Ross and the Supremes, while the religious aspect included a reference to Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of President Obama. Along the way, T.J. loves to recall, his experiences included a meeting with world famous boxing champion, Muhammad Ali.
T.J.’s love of gospel music furthermore played a central role in his return to Montgomery where he became a key feature with an African American musical unit called “Mighty Men of Valor.” The name echoed the treatment in the Old Testament Book of Judges of the mighty warrior, Gideon. A man of high commitment to God’s Will, Gideon obeyed the Lord’s directive to reduce his mighty army of multiple thousands down to only 300. This, under God’s directions, generated a grand victory against overwhelming odds.
T.J.’s return to Montgomery County has had a tremendous impact not only via performance but also in the orchestration of grand musicals while he has also played key roles in various conferences centered on helping the youth of our area. Additionally, he is a member of both the Montgomery County Historical Commission centered in Conroe, and the Montgomery Historical Society. He lovingly provides gospel nourishment along the way is his membership with Mt Pleasant Baptist
Church in Montgomery. “Mr. Everything” well describes the lifestyle and positive impact of
the great T. J. Wilkerson.