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John “Jack” Thorn Lyburn Jr., who served as Carroll County’s director of the Department of Economic Development for nearly 21 years, died Aug. 14, at his home in Manchester, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 76.
The department’s deputy director, Denise Beaver, is acting as the department director until a nationwide search can be completed to develop an applicant pool to replace Mr. Lyburn, said Chris Winebrenner, the county’s communications manager.
Mr. Lyburn was born on Sept. 15, 1946, in Baltimore to the late John T. Lyburn Sr. and Miriam Inez Lyburn.
After graduating from Baltimore City College and George Washington University, according to the Carroll County Department of Economic Development, he began his career at the Pantry Pride grocery store chain, where he worked as director of operations and also as comptroller.
He also served in the U.S. Navy, and was a competitive speedskater and marathoner.
Mr. Lyburn worked for the Manekin Corp., a real estate firm in Columbia, for 11 years as a commercial real estate broker. Next, he spent two years at Kline/Scott/Visco, as vice president of commercial real estate development and leasing.
Mr. Lyburn was a real estate broker in Carroll County for more than 38 years.
His first stint as director of the county’s Department of Economic Development started on Sept. 26, 1994. After 10 years, he left to start Lyburn & Associates, a local commercial brokerage in Carroll County.
Mr. Lyburn came back to the county Feb. 12, 2012, when he again assumed the top role in the Department of Economic Development, but with a new title — administrator of Strategic Accounts and Outreach. In 2015, his title reverted back to director of the department, a position he retained until his death.
Under Mr. Lyburn’s leadership, the county spurred capital investment, increased the local tax base and facilitated the creation of new jobs, according to information from the department.
Mr. Lyburn was a dedicated advocate for expanding business and development in Carroll County while preserving its history through his work at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners plans to dedicate a pavilion at the farm museum in Mr. Lyburn’s memory.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to know and work with Jack and I commend his commitment and dedication to Carroll County’s economic development initiatives and serving the business community,” District 3 Commissioner Tom Gordon III said in the news release. “Jack’s extensive professional career, economic development leadership, and community service resulted in many business expansions and recruitment projects and spurred the county’s tourism initiatives.
Mr. Lyburn was an active and awarded member of the Westminster and Frederick Rotary Clubs. He was an avid golfer and member of the Piney Branch Golf Club.
Mr. Lyburn helped increase tourism sales tax revenues from $93 million in 2012 to $124.4 million in 2019, according to the news release.
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“His impact on Carroll County is represented by too many projects to list, but his legacy will continue to be seen in the Carroll County community for a very long time,” a news release from the county stated.
He is also credited with helping to create the Carroll County Barn Quilt Trail, a collaborative project by the Carroll County Arts Council, Office of Tourism, Department of Recreation and Parks and Carroll County Public Library. The program pays homage to the county’s agrarian history by installing 8-foot square quilt blocks on scenic barns.
Mr. Lyburn moved to Carroll County after marrying his late wife, Elaine Rea Lyburn. They raised three children in the county together.
“He transformed and enriched Carroll County by creating business and job opportunities and has left an indelible mark on the county,” Mr. Gordon said.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Connolly White Lyburn; daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Shawn Anglemyer of Westminster; son and daughter-in-law Andrew Lyburn and Sarah Talamantez-Lyburn of Towson; son Bryan Lyburn of Herndon, Virginia; grandchildren Savannah and Kyle Anglemyer, Easton Talamantez-Lyburn, and Anna Lyburn; and brother Roger Lyburn of Selbyville, Delaware. He is also survived by stepdaughter Patricia Terri White of Hanover, Pennsylvania; stepson William Edward White III and his wife, Nina White, of Hanover, Pennsylvania; and step-grandchildren Ashleigh Royer and Kyla and Maddison White.
Aside from his parents and first wife, he was also preceded in death by his brother, the Rev. Glenn H. Lyburn of Delaware.