John Stevens Wilburn

John Stevens Wilburn, 81, of Asheville, NC passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2022. He was born in South Boston, VA to the late Robert Douglas Wilburn and Lola Compton Wilburn.

He proudly served in the United States Army. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and worked his entire career for the National Park Service. He was the Supervisory Civil Engineer for the Blue Ridge Parkway. He worked for the Parkway in Asheville for 20 years. As a Summer Student Engineer in the early sixties, he was on the team that laid out the Linn Cove Viaduct and then arrived here in Asheville just two weeks before it was dedicated!

He is survived by his wife; Rebecca “Becky” Wilburn of the home; a daughter; Debra Wilburn (Alex Fonoroff) of Highlands Ranch, CO; a son, Barry Wilburn of Asheville, NC; six grandchildren; Ethan, Oliver, Elise, Christina, Erik and Austin; and a brother; Robert Douglas Wilburn, Jr.

He loved working in the outdoors and enjoyed camping and boating. He loved all kinds of music – especially jazz, classical and southern gospel. He was first chair trombone in his high school band and sang Baritone/Bass in The Master’s Children, a Southern Gospel Trio.

He was a devoted husband of 58+ years to Becky and loved his two children very much.

In addition to his family he will be dearly missed by Penny our kitty and Honey Bunch our dog (definitely John’s dog)! A constant companion to him!

The family would like to thank John’s exceptional and kind caregiver, Diane Sitton. She’s the best!

A service is planned for Thursday, June 2, 2022 at noon in the Chapel of the State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Black Mountain Home for Children, 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.