JOHN F. ‘FRED’ WILBANKS

March 26, 1952 - Oct. 19, 2013

John F. “Fred” Wilbanks, 60, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Linden, where he served as a deacon and enjoyed the fellowship of his Sunday school class each week. He owned and operated Wilbanks Insurance Agency for 27 years and he had worked as a registered professional petroleum landman for the past eight years. He was a member of AAPL and ETAPL.

He previously served as interim mayor for the city of Linden as well as serving on the city council. He was a strong advocate of volunteerism.

He enjoyed camping, backpacking and being outdoors. He loved the Lord, his family and his friends.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Wilbanks of Linden; one son, John Bryant Wilbanks and wife Allison of Mansfield; one daughter, Jordan Wilbanks of Tyler; his mother, LaWana Wilbanks of Linden; two sisters, Freida Fitts and husband Billy of Linden and Wanda Delacerda and husband Keith of Morrilton, Ark.; one brother, Marcus Wilbanks and wife Rita of San Antonio; father-in-law and mother-in-law, J.B. and Betty Hicks of Lindale; sister-in-law, Gay Pyland and husband Phillip of Lindale; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, greatnieces and greatnephews.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at The First Baptist Church in Linden with Bro. Jackie Stanfield officiating. Interment will follow at Linden Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the general fund of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 179, Linden, Texas 75563, or the Highway 80 Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3223, Longview, TX 75604. 

An online guestbook may be signed at www.reeder-davis.com.