Wilburn Johnson

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Senegal: Peace Corps Senegal : The Peace Corps in Senegal: August 26, 1973 - Dayton Daily News: RPCVs remember Peace Corps Volunteer Wilburn Johnson who died while serving in Senegal in August, 1973 at Age 25 : Wilburn Johnson

By Paul Forquer (dhcp065-025-122-098.neo.rr.com - 65.25.122.98) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 9:02 pm: Edit Post

I wenbt ot Gannon College is Erie, Pa with Wilburn. If anyone else remebers him I would like to hear from them.

By Tom Mikotowicz (24-48-182-65.agstme.adelphia.net - 24.48.182.65) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 4:00 pm: Edit Post

I knew Wilburn quite well while we attended Gannon College (now University). Wilburn, who was fluent in French, was also involved with the theatre department. In fact, he was in the first play that I directed at the Carriage House Theatre in Erie. The production was a one-act political play, called Rats by Israel Horovitz. The play was set in a baby's crib in Harlem. Two white "Rats," an establishment rat and a radical rat harrass the black baby in the crib. Wilburn played the baby, replete in diaper, bonnett, and large scale pacifier. The imagery was quite amusing but the message of the play, with its anti-oppressive themes, connected well with the 1960s audience. Wilburn's sensitivity to the political unrest of the time was evident in his involvement in this production. I also remember many a good laugh that we all had at the various cast parties at Ed Doran's house. Wilburn was always fun, witty, and charming. I will always remember him.

By Michael Morris (cache-ntc-aa03.proxy.aol.com - 198.81.26.8) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 8:29 pm: Edit Post

I directed Wilburn in my very first show at the lovely and now invisible Gannon Theatre. We did a production of "Celebration". Wilburn had the lead. He was wonderful and had a beguiling smile. It was his last year at Gannon, and I only knew him from the show. He was a delight to direct and a delight on stage. A nice kid who was taken from this earth way too soon

By Helena Power (ool-4354feba.dyn.optonline.net - 67.84.254.186) on Saturday, April 01, 2006 - 2:25 pm: Edit Post

I think of Wilburn so often. I wonder if his family knows that there will always be someone remembering Wilburn. He was charismatic, funny, wild and inventive. He once posted an ad in the Erie Times News inviting everyone in Erie to the Bob Tevis Birthday Festival Weekend. I think accomodations at the Sleepy Bear motel were involved. Bob was ahhh hmmm surprised absolutely and in typical Wilburn style he capered around all weekend pleased and thrilled with the hoopla. I would love to let his family know that he is remembered so lovingly by his old friends.

By Harold Jeffries (172.75.154.204) on Friday, April 07, 2017 - 1:34 am: Edit Post

Thank you for your posts about my uncle. He died when I was a child so I never had a chance to know him. We come from a poor family where educational opportunities are limited and he was the first person in my family to go to college. I admired him for his intelligence and courage. I always wondered about the type of person he was and the life that he led.


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