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Mr. John Raymond “Jack” Pyburn, age 94, a resident of Washington, died Saturday, May 8, 2021 at his home.

A funeral mass will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Washington conducted by Father Michael Schuetz. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

Luther Davis, Ron Champion, Simon Troughton, Bob Diefendorf and Steven Jones will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington.

Mr. Pyburn was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on June 16, 1926.  He was the son of the late Paul F. Pyburn and Madelon Veronica Dyer Pyburn. Mr. Pyburn graduated from Cathedral High School in El Paso, TX in 1943. He joined the Navy in May of 1944, where he attended radar school and after served aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific for 18 months.  Mr. Pyburn graduated from New Mexico A&M with a degree in electrical engineering. His work took him to three different countries: Mexico, Canada, and Panama where he was a member of the Navy Club. He retired from TGS (now Nutrien) in Aurora, N.C. where he was Personnel and Public Relations manager for 20 years. Upon retirement, he worked part time at the Beaufort County Community College for 21 years.

While living in New Mexico, Mr. Pyburn was elected “Citizen of the Year” in Carlsbad.  He served as Boy Scout leader in El Paso, TX and later in Carlsbad.

Mr. Pyburn was a long-time member of Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, member of the Moms and Pops Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was elected twice to the Washington City Council and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1989-1991. Mr. Pyburn was a Past President of the Washington Kiwanis Club and member of the Down East Seniors and served as its President in 2012.  He volunteered at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

As an avid tennis player, Mr. Pyburn played three times a week at the Washington Racquet Club where he especially loved getting together with his “retirement tennis buddies” every Thursday for dinner and much conversation.  He played until the day he turned 90.  Mr. Pyburn and his wife loved to travel and were fortunate to be able to see many parts of the United States as well as many foreign countries.

Mr. Pyburn was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all.  He was rarely seen without a big smile and he will always be remembered for favorite sayings: “I love this mess” and “Lord knows”.

Mr. Pyburn is survived by his wife of 68 years, Leah Rose Kinsey Pyburn; his children, Jack Jr. and wife Lynne Pyburn, Rick and wife Janis Pyburn, daughter Catherine Ann, Tom and wife Margie Pyburn and Phil and wife Michelle Pyburn; grandchildren, John Pyburn III, Carol Ann and Locket Tally,  Eric and Stephanie Pyburn, Adam and Ali Pyburn, Jay Pyburn, Courtney Pyburn, Taylor Pyburn, Ryan Pyburn; five great grandchildren, Lock, Hudson, and Olive Tally, Evan and Logan Pyburn; and cousin, Lorreto Szucs of Chicago, IL, who resided with him and his family since she was 22 months and was raised as his little sister.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Pyburn was preceded in death by two sisters, Muriel, and Margaret; brother, Paul and sister-in-law, Susan Pyburn.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Pyburn family.