Carl Wilkes, the first Black mayor in Johnson County, dies at 80

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.