Carl Hilderbran, Sr.

Carl Byron Hilderbran Sr., 86, died at his Uvalde residence on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014.
He was born March 14, 1927, in San Antonio.
Hilderbran, an Eagle Scout, attended Catholic and public schools in San Antonio. He graduated early from Brackenridge High School through special arrangements, having his mother sign papers to allow the then 17yearold to join the service to enter World War II.
He celebrated Victory in Europe Day with thousands of other Americans in the streets of New York City.
Carl always said Hitler shot himself when he heard that he was coming over.
Hilderbran was furloughed out with the Coast Guard and stationed in Oakland until his discharge from service on May 6, 1946.
Through the GI Bill, Hilderbran was able to attend Texas AI College in Kingsville where he met and married his wife, Carolyn Guidry of Corpus Christi, Texas. The two graduated together in the spring of 1950 with him receiving a degree in agriculture.
His professional career began with the Soil Conservation Service. From there he moved into farm and industrial machinery sales, first with Dar Equipment Company of Dallas and later Holt Machinery of San Antonio.
With the Holt Company he was transferred to Uvalde, where he moved with his family in 1958.
In 1964 he began his own equipment dealership, CH Machinery. He also began farming and raising small herds of registered Angus cattle. Later, he went into real estate, developing properties in Uvalde and Bandera counties.
In retirement he returned to a boyhood hobby of raising and racing Homing Pigeons. Hilderbrans birds competed in the United States and as far away as South Africa. He was instrumental in bringing the sport to the Uvalde area which helped others get started.
Hilderbran is survived by his wife of 65 years, sons Vic and wife, Betty, and C.B and wife, Tammy, of Uvalde Jody and wife, Carol, of San Antonio, and state representative Harvey and wife, Tracy, of Kerrville.
Grandchildren include Sarah Price and husband, Sam Roy, Byron, Cecile, Haley, and Callie Hilderbran.
Greatgrandchildren are Kiley and Kelsi Price.
Services will be Thursday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Uvalde.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or the Camp Fawcett Foundation.

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