Charlie Thomas Hildebrand

Funeral services for Charlie Thomas Hildebrand, 93, of Gainesville, are scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Fleming officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Mr. Hildebrand passed away April 15, 2019 in Gainesville.

Charlie was born March 31, 1926 north of Vernon, TX to Frank and Beulah Hildebrand.  The early part of his life was spent in Vernon, eventually graduating high school in 1943.  Later the same year, Charlie entered Texas A&M University and joined the Corps of Cadets.  After completing one year of studies, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed in Carlsbad, New Mexico and Denver, Colorado.  Charlie then received his discharge and resumed his classes at Texas A&M, soon earning his B.S. in Civil Engineering as a member of the 1948 graduating class.  He accepted a position with the Texas Highway Department where he worked until he retired as Resident Engineer in 1986.  During this time, the Interstate 35 Highway was built.  Also, a new Red River bridge and many other roads and bridges throughout the county were constructed with Charlies help.  He did the engineering work on the Joy Acres, Fairfield South, Edison Park, and Wheeler Creek additions to Gainesville.

Charlie met Palma Purgason when he went to Sunday School one Sunday in 1948.  He joined the church the next Sunday and then joined the church choir, which he sang in for 54 years.  Charlie and Palma married on May 7, 1949.  He was a loyal member of First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, serving as Treasurer and on various other committees through the years.  He enjoyed playing golf and bowling.  Charlie and Palma enjoyed playing Bridge and traveling the United States in their retirement.

Survivors include: wife Palma Purgason Hildebrand of Gainesville; son Stephen Kent Hildebrand and wife Linda of Chouteau, OK; grandchildren: Stephanie Foster and husband Adam of Bixby, OK; Andrea Hogue and husband Chris of Broken Arrow, OK; Misty Wolfe of Gainesville; Krysta Hildebrand of Gainesville; Martha Sabo and husband Jan of Tulsa, OK; and Anna Hildebrand of Tulsa, OK; fourteen great-grandchildren; brother J.V. Hildebrand of Fort Worth; and sister Marylin Smith and husband Gene of Durant, OK.

Mr. Hildebrand was preceded in death by: his parents; son Pal Bentley Hildebrand; and sister Winnie Belle Sicks.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Home Hospice of Cooke County and First United Methodist Church of Gainesville.