Albert Jimpson Wilborn Jr.

The eldest of four children, Albert J. Wilborn Jr. was born to Albert J. Wilborn Sr. and Charlie Mae Wilborn (Taylor) of Dallas, Texas on March 11, 1942. “Albert J.” as he was affectionately called by family and friends, grew up in the Elm Thicket neighborhood of north Dallas. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in his youth and was baptized at Munger Avenue Baptist Church. He was an inquisitive child, who loved learning. Later in life, Al often boasted that when he was a student at K.B. Polk Elementary, he was often the first to arrive at school and waited eagerly for the custodian to unlock the doors. He graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School and played defensive end on the school’s 1958 state championship football team.

After a year at the University of Kansas, Al transferred to Prairie View A&M where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics. There, he met his college sweetheart, the indomitable Myrtle “Peggy” Wilborn (Hartwell), who would become his loving wife and partner of 55 years. While at Prairie View, Al participated in Army ROTC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. After completing basic training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and the United States Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia, Al was ordered to Vietnam. First Lieutenant Wilborn served as an Ordnance officer in the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, famously known as “The Big Red One” from 1966-1967 and was awarded a pair of Bronze Stars at the close of his tour of duty.

Upon his Honorable discharge, Al returned to Texas, where he married Peggy, and embarked on his professional career. His was the first generation of black men to enter corporate America on the heels of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Al began his career in San Francisco with Crown Zellerbach corporation where he quickly rose up through the ranks, becoming the company’s Western Regional sales manager. During a twenty-year career at Crown, Al proved to be a valued executive with expertise across different divisions within the company. His desire to challenge himself and seek out greater opportunity led him to graduate school at Pepperdine University where he received his MBA in 1977. His last position at Crown brought him back to Southern California when he was promoted to General Manager of the company’s Gaylord corrugated plant in the City of Industry. After the company’s hostile takeover in 1985, Al turned entrepreneur and founded Altec Printing in Irvine, California, a small printing business he would run until his retirement in 2006.

He centered his life around his family, friends, and his faith. He was a passionate and life-long sports fan, and rarely missed his sons’ track meets, football, basketball, baseball, or soccer games. He was an active member of Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda, California, serving as a Trustee and on its Advisory Board and Building Committee. He always relished an opportunity to fire up his grill, invite friends over for a meal, and close out the evening ensconced in discussion and debate over history, culture, sports, and politics. He often said, “I know a little about a lot of things.” A born storyteller, no evening was complete without a tale or two from Al’s childhood. He played tennis, tried his hand at cross-country skiing, and was an avid golfer, who never hesitated to remind you he still had his mulligan no matter how many errant drives he’d hit during the round.

He hoped to spend his retirement years divided between traveling to new places, visiting with his grandchildren, and time on a golf course. But it was a plan largely derailed by a series of illnesses. Still, Al maintained his wit, his good nature, and his sense of humor. He remained curious about the world beyond his front door and never, ever lost his sense of curiosity, his optimism, or his faith. He will be missed, but never forgotten by all who knew and loved him. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Sr. and Charlie Mae, and his three sisters, Phyllis Wilborn Patterson, Nancy Ann Wilborn Diggs, and Madeline Wilborn Hart. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, their three sons, Jason Eric Wilborn (Gerun), Kevin Ryan Wilborn (Ina), and Terence Douglas Wilborn (McKenzie), eight grandchildren: Kaleb Wilborn, Ethan Wilborn, Lauren Wilborn, Trey Wilborn, Hannah Wilborn, Grace Wilborn, Hadley Wilborn, and Lake Wilborn, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless good and faithful friends.

A graveside service for Al will be held Friday, August 19, 2022 from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.