David Samuel Wilbur Jr.

With great sadness, we announce that David Samuel Wilbur Jr., known to friends and family as Sam, was called home by God on October 23, 2025.
He was born on Tuesday, June 29, 1965, in Gallipolis, Ohio and suddenly passed away Thursday, October 23rd in Pace, Florida. He is survived by his wife, who he been beside for 39 years, Connie Wilbur (nee Miller), daughter Ashleigh Watson, (nee Wilbur), son-in-law, who he considered a son, Tyler Watson, their three beautiful daughters, Bella Grace Watson, 7, Sutton Grey Watson, 4, and Tatum Gwen Watson, 1, a daughter, Jordyn Lazio (nee Wilbur) and her handsome and very smart son, TJ Lazio, 5, many sister and brothers-in-law on his wife's side and their descendants, a sister, Jennifer Grier, a niece, Amanda Hughey, an Aunt, Debbie Castleberry, an Aunt Connie Simmons, and Uncle Douglas Farmer, as well as many great nieces and nephews etc. He was preceded in death by his father, David Samuel Wilbur, his mother, Shirley Kay Farmer, an Uncle Darryl Castleberry, an Uncle Dennis Farmer, an Uncle Ferris Farmer of Bainbridge, Georgia, and his in-laws, John and Louise Miller.
Sam graduated from Pensacola High School in 1983. He was a licensed electrician and worked for multiple government contractors until he took a job with Santa Rosa Island Authority in 1988, later transferring to Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. His work ethic was unmatched and he worked his way up to the top, becoming the Facilities Maintenance Manager. He held this title until retiring in 2020.
Sam never met a stranger. He could put a smile on even the gloomiest of faces and always made any event a party. Though his loyalty and respect were hard earned, he would go to the ends of the earth for the people who did. He loved his family and friends fiercely and would do anything for them.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and friend to all, but his greatest passion was coaching softball. He began coaching his daughter, Ashleigh, after watching her play tee ball from the sidelines. He was able to coach her until she left for college in 2011. He had renewed that passion when he started coaching Ashleigh's daughter, Bella, along with her Shockwave 8U Softball Travel Team, who have won several championships. Even if he had bagged a record 12 point buck, that feeling didn't come close to how proud he was of Bella, her work ethic, and commitment to the game he loved. At the ballpark with his family, practicing with Bella, or watching her play, is where he truly was the happiest. Coach Pappy was definitely his favorite title of all.
He loved his two daughters, Ashleigh and Jordyn, very much, but he loved his grandbabies most of all. It was obvious to everyone that nothing in the world mattered to him as much as them. He shared a special love language with each of them. When Sutton or TJ saw him, they knew to run up to him and immediately ask - "Hey Pappy, do you want peanut butter or jelly?"with the biggest smiles on their faces. And though Tate was only 1, we will forever remember the way she would pull on his ears and melt into him.
Not only was he fiercely loved by all of the people in his life, he was also very important to his two dogs, Evie and Finn. Though Finn was intended to be his wife's dog, Sam was his person always seeking him out for comfort. Evie was his special girl and he cared for her as if she were another child. He will be deeply missed by everyone.
The family will provide service details when available.