Roy Patrick Wilburn's Obituary
Pat Wilburn was deeply loved, faithfully devoted, and fiercely committed to the people who mattered most to him. He passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with dementia, surrounded by the love that defined his life.
Pat always knew what he wanted, and the first time he laid eyes on JoAnn at a bowling alley in Garland, he was completely smitten. That moment marked the beginning of a love story that would span 60 beautiful years. JoAnn became his partner, confidant, and greatest blessing. To her, he was always “Babe,” a name that reflected a lifetime of love, loyalty, and shared memories. Together, they built a family rooted in strength, faith, and devotion.
Pat was a proud and loving father to Cindy Horn and Christy Pressley. He found great joy in the families they built—Cindy and her husband, Steve, and their children, Kylie and Kyle; and Christy and her husband, Todd, and her stepson, Tate—each a source of pride, laughter, and love in his life. His heart also held his sisters Joan Stansbury and Judy Berry, Judy’s husband Ray, and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews who were blessed to know his steady presence and unwavering care.
Pat was preceded in death by his father Joe Wilburn, his mother Dot Wilburn, his stepmother Veta Wilburn, and his beloved bulldog, Beans, who held a very special place in his heart.
Pat lived with intensity, passion, and purpose. He was true to himself, unapologetically authentic at all times. If you met him once, you knew him—and you never forgot him. He never did anything halfway—whether in business, on the golf course, in racquetball, or simply in how he loved his family. He held himself—and those he cared about—to a high standard, because he believed in people’s potential and inspired them with his strong voice, fearless leadership, and unwavering convictions to be better, work harder, and live more fully.
His professional journey was marked by perseverance and success, rising from an early career in sales to the highest executive levels of major corporations, including partial ownership of a major beverage distributor. Yet no title ever meant more to him than husband, dad, and Pops—roles he embraced with pride and an open heart.
A man of deep and abiding faith, Pat loved reading his Bible and drawing strength from God’s promises. He never lost his love of learning and competition and especially enjoyed watching Jeopardy! —a joy that remained with him even as dementia slowly changed other parts of his world. He delighted in life’s simple pleasures, particularly spicy food (especially jalapeños), and found true peace at the beach with loved ones, a cigar in one hand and a beer in the other, soaking in the moments that mattered most.
Pat was a leader at work, a protector at home, and a steady presence for those who loved him. His life leaves a lasting legacy of faith, resilience, and love—of showing up, holding on, and never giving up on what truly matters. He will be profoundly missed and forever treasured.
The family would like to extend their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Pat’s devoted caregivers from VITAS—LaTasha, Jennifer, Patty, and James—whose compassion, patience, and kindness brought comfort and dignity to Pat and peace to his family.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” — John 14:1–3
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
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