Obituaries

Gene Hilborn

Photo of Gene Hilborn
Charles Gene Hilborn, age 94, died on April 12, 2013. He was born Jan. 27, 1919, the son of Pearl "Pete" Hilborn and Martha Brock Hilborn. He was reared and educated in Pine Bluff, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1938, and attended Advertising Art School in Nashville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Files Hilborn who he married Feb. 11, 1940 and who died Aug. 8, 2007; and his friend and golf partner, Johnny Green. He is survived by his son, Dr. Charles Gene Hilborn, Jr. and wife Diane, of Gainesville, Va.; by three grandchildren, Lara Maupin, Kira Young and David Hilborn; Four great-grandchildren, Bennett Maupin, Owen Maupin, Janelle Maupin and Connor Young; and by close family friend, Ramona Green. In 1941, he began his employment with the Exploration & Production Department of Gulf Oil Corporation (now Chevron) in Shreveport, La. as a draftsman. In 1943, he left Gulf for World War II service and served in the Navy as photographer on the battleship Nevada. After discharge from service, he owned and operated a photographic studio in Pine Bluff for several years before resuming his employment with Gulf Oil in Laurel, Miss. During his 30 years with Gulf, his time was spent in Shreveport, La. and at Laurel and Jackson, Miss. During this time he was promoted to engineer and was a Land Surveyor, registered in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He retired as Jackson District General Service Supervisor in 1973. After his retirement from Gulf, he returned to Pine Bluff and opened Appliance Parts Company, Inc., of Arkansas as co-owner and manager. He retired and sold his interest in the business in 1984. Mr. Hilborn was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church and served several times on the vestry and as Junior Warden. He also served on several committees including the clergy search and building committees. Mr. Hilborn also served on the Board of Directors for Shepherd Center and on the Advisory Council of RSVP. He and his wife enjoyed extensive travel. They visited all 50 states in the union and visited several European countries and enjoyed several cruises. He enjoyed photography and was a landscape painter. He enjoyed playing golf up to age 90. He was a former member of Rosswood Country Club and Harbor Oaks. Memorial services will be Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 4101 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603, with the Rev. Greg Fry officiating. Burial will be in the Grace Memorial Garden by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services. A reception will follow in the parish hall at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 8594, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. Online: FullerFunerals.com.

Published April 14, 2013

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