Harris Raymond Wilburn Jr.

09/17/1944 - 12/03/2025

Harris Raymond "Ray" Wilburn, Jr., 81, of Allens Fresh, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on December 3, 2025 after battling ill health for some time.

Born on September 17, 1944 in Washington, DC to the late Harris Raymond Wilburn, Sr. and the late Julia Belle Whitson Wilburn, Ray was raised on a small tobacco farm in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. After graduating from Central High School in 1962, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maryland in 1966.

Ray served in the United States Air Force, flying O-2s and KC-135s. He served in the Vietnam Conflict from 1969-1970 as a captain in Forward Air Control, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with twelve oak leaf clusters for his actions in combat.

He served thirty-five years with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in Policy & Planning. His notable works during his career included directing the 1980 study on the health of Prisoners of War, directly leading to legislation to improve benefits. He was the VA representative to Vice President Gore's National Performance Review. He was honored to lead the official group of 100 World War II veterans and their families overseas for events commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day where veterans were presented the French Legion of Honor, as well as the anniversary tour of the Battle of the Bulge. Prior to retirement, he served as the Executive Director for the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. After retirement, he continued as a consultant with EconSys, CNA, and SAG Corp.

Ray was a Mason in the Seat Pleasant and then Patuxent Lodges. He served as president of the Lake Braddock Community Association. He was an active parishioner of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia and later a vestrymember of Christ Church Wayside in Newburg, Maryland.

Ray was a devoted husband of forty-eight years to his late wife Marianne Cox Wilburn, raising their two children with their shared love of travel, history, and the outdoors.

Ray retired with his family to a small farm in Allens Fresh, Maryland, and spent his remaining years devoted to his three grandchildren, passing on his knowledge and love for horses, gardening, farming, and baseball. There is nothing he loved more than his faith and his family.

He is survived by his two loving children, David Michael Wilburn of Alexandria, Virginia, and Sarah Wilburn MacMillan (Michael), of Allens Fresh, Maryland, and by his three adoring grandchildren, Sean Patrick MacMillan, Mary Catherine MacMillan, and Ronan James MacMillan, as well as many family and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marianne, and his mother and father.

Visitation is on Monday, December 22 from 2 until 4 p.m. and again from 6 until 8 p.m., with prayers at 7 p.m. at Raymond Funeral Home in La Plata, Maryland. Funeral is to be held on Tuesday, December 23 at 10 a.m. at Christ Church Wayside in Newburg, Maryland with repast immediately following in the Parish Hall. Burial will be on Monday, December 29 at 11 a.m. at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Wayside Food Bank, 15848 Rock Point Road, Newburg, MD 20664, or to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.