Charles Hildebrand

Odessa- Charles Alvin "C. A." Hildebrand, 92, of Odessa, Texas, left our loving care on October 28, 2018.

C. A. was born on September 11, 1926 in Mitchell, County, Texas to Guy and Ruth Hildebrand. He lived and worked the family farm and graduated Loraine High School in 1944. He was an Air Force Reserve Officers Training Cadet and was called into service in March 1945. The Cadet program ended after V. E. Day and he then entered radio school where he became a Radio Operator Mechanic. He served in Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Utah, and California before his discharge in 1947. He attended Texas Tech for a period of time and married Leona Vivian Walter in Carlsbad, New Mexico on October 25, 1952.

He received his Commercial Radio Operators License from the FCC and he and Leona operated a radio and pager sales and service company for many years in Kermit, Texas. C.A. was also employed by the Communications Department at El Paso Natural Gas in Jal, New Mexico for 25 years. Hobbies included fishing, HAM radios, and attending air shows. He was an active member of the West Texas Amateur Radio Club and counts those colleagues as some of his closest friends.

C. A. was respected by many and loved by all. He is survived by Leona, his loving wife and caregiver of 66 years; children, Douglas (Karen) of Dallas, TX, Mark (Dorletta) of Tomball, TX, Charla Wilhelm (Earnest) of Thibodaux, La., and Cary (Sharron) of Kermit, TX. Twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren are left to miss their Paw Paw. He also leaves two sisters; Marie Browne of Georgetown, TX and Doris Richards of Winters, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Joyce, Doyle and Dale Hildebrand.

Pall bearers will be C.A.'s grandchildren and the Amateur Radio Club will be Honorary Pall Bearers. Special thanks to Madison Medical Resort and their devoted staff for caring for our sweet C.A. We also wish to thank the many friends C. A. made over the years and to the radio club he loved and served.

Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 PM, Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jeff Cleere officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The West Texas Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 7033, Odessa, TX 79760-7033, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Family and Friends Gathering

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Funeral Home Chapel
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, November 1, 2018
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

West Texas Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 7033
Odessa, TX  79760