He was born to Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wilkins in Goldsboro, NC. He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1983 and attended Appalachian State University and graduated from NC State University with a degree in civil engineering. John spent his career in commercial construction and worked with Kaufman Lynn where he was regional senior vice president.
John is survived by his best friend and wife of 28 years, Pat Merritt Wilkins, and his children Jackson and Emma as well as Lilly O’Brien, all of Raleigh. John was all about sitting on the dock in Beaufort, fishing for whatever would bite and, of course, random animal data and the occasional rattlesnake. Just ask and everyone will tell you how he was always willing to help out, no matter what.
Also surviving John are his 4 siblings: Ken and Dru Wilkins; Hannah and Charlie Rouse, Brandt Wilkins and David Alexander, and Charles and Sandra Wilkins. His Mt Olive family also survives him: Betty Hughes Wilkins, Jay and Pam Wilkins, Doug and Geri Wilkins, Billy and Barbara Wilkins, and Randall and Gina Wilkins.
The memorial service will be Friday, Nov 23, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC 27608. Visitors are welcome after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Pat and her children extend their gratitude to all their many friends and family for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to SAFEchild: safechildnc.org – a local non-profit.
John – an incredible husband, father and friend – always kept his people close. Now we must do the same with his memory.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.
