Sulphur Springs
John Wesley Wilburn, 59, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs with Brother Damon Wilks officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Larry Jay Temples, Andy Owens, Danny Wilburn, Kris Koon, Ronald Lewis, Rudy Ellis, Robert Buster, Ed Moore, Kerry Moore, Duane Swasso, Raymond Wilburn, Adam Wilburn, Phillip Wilburn, and Chris Wilburn serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
John was born on August 14, 1965, in Mineola, Texas, to James T. Wilburn and ElFleta (Grimes) Wilburn. He was the grandson of Walter and Annie Ruth Grimes and James and Golden Wilburn, all of whom preceded him in death.
He married Lesa White on September 25, 1999, in Sulphur Springs. John was a proud graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, Class of 1983, where he was an active member of the FFA. He worked alongside his father and grandfather on the family dairy farm in Hopkins County and later owned and operated Wilburn Agri Service. John was also employed with Hopkins County Precinct 2 and was a driver for Ballard’s before becoming an owner-operator truck driver for Wilburn Agri Service.
The very best job John ever had was being “Grumpy” to his 10 grandchildren. He never met a stranger! John also loved to go to The Pitt Grill and drink coffee with his early morning coffee crew. One of John’s favorite things to do was cook in The World Champion Hopkins County Stew contest where he proudly won 1st place with his beef stew allowing him a spot to compete for Super Stew. He was a dedicated supporter of the Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) and loved attending any events where his children and grandchildren were involved.
He is survived by his wife, Lesa Wilburn; daughters Amber Griggs and husband Justin, Ashley Gaboury and husband Mike, and Harley Wilburn; son Heston Wilburn and wife Cheyenne; nephew Caemon Early; and grandchildren Allyson Dykes, Logan Sells, Ansley Dykes, Haddix Wilburn, Blaine Wilburn, Makenna Gaboury, Harmony Wilburn, Marley Early, Dakota Wilburn, and Harper Griggs.
John was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and sister Jeanna Wilburn.
Memorials may be made to the Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA), P.O. Box 1587, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
