Bobby Jerome Wilburn, 66, a 38-year employee of Peco Foods, died April 7, 2023.
He was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on July 31, 1956, to Bob Ray Wilburn and Carolyn Gregory Tubbs. He married his wife, Tricia, on April 22, 1981. Together, they had three sons: Jonathan, David and Jackson.
Wilburn spent most of his career with Peco, joining the sales division in 1985 after roles at Sanderson Farms and Spring Valley Farms. During his tenure, he helped Peco grow from a single plant in Tuscaloosa to 23 plants, feed mills, hatcheries and live operations facilities. His efforts led the company through significant shifts, helping to build it into the seventh largest poultry producer in the United States through diversifying from a commodity-based model into value-added company with marquee national restaurant and retail customers. He developed Peco’s marketing division and oversaw the shift from smaller, fast-food-specific birds to one of the industry’s leading jumbo bird programs. Wilburn had taken a leave of absence this year from his role as corporate director of sales and marketing – commodity at Peco Foods to focus on his health.
Wilburn was a member of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council’s board of directors, National Chicken Council’s Marketing Committee and served on the board of the West Alabama Food Bank.
He is survived by his wife, Tricia; one son, Jackson; mother, Carolyn; father, Bob; one sister, Deborah; and one brother, Larry.
A memorial will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa, 800 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35401.
After the service, there will be a reception for friends and family at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama and First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryChapelFuneralHome.com for the Wilburn family.
