Thomas Michael Hildebrand

Thomas Michael Hildebrand was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on November 6, 1948, and met His Savior face to face, spirit to spirit, on September 27, 2023. He was the oldest child of Keith and Phyllis Hildebrand. His six siblings described him as a happy, ambitious, easy going, responsible and caring child and young adult. He loved dogs, fishing, and was active in sports. After graduating from Chancellor High School, Tom went on to study at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology where he ran cross country, played the sousaphone in the band, and attended dances that he didn't dance at. He loved music and took some of his siblings to their first concert, which was John Denver, a memory they still cherish. Tom then went on to live and serve at a Catholic shrine in Bethlehem, South Dakota.

Tom's next chapter began when he met and married Teri Smith in 1973. They had four children together and moved to Hurst, Texas in 1981. They were active at their church, First United Methodist Church of Bedford, where they served as community group leaders, and where Tom sang in the choir. Tom worked as an accountant but would say his most important job was being a father. He cheered on all four kids at soccer games, school events, and especially loved his one-on-one daddy dates. Whether it was soccer, football, band, or church performances, Tom loved to support his children in their endeavors.

Tom's next chapter would find him meeting and marrying Elaine Lloyd in 1998 and gaining two stepsons. He and Elaine attended Shady Oaks Baptist Church where Tom taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served as a deacon. During this time Tom's family grew as his children and stepchildren married and started families, giving Tom twelve grandchildren. Tom would once again find himself cheering at soccer games, school events, piano recitals, band competitions, theatre performances, and much more as he supported his grandchildren in their endeavors.

Tom's latest chapter began in 2019 when he married Sylvia Feng. They shared a love for food, a passion for music, and a deep desire to grow in their faith and relationship with God. They were a part of a wonderful community of believers, the Dunamis Woman and Real Authoritative Men. Tom even wrote a chapter in their book, Raising The Standard. In it he expressed that his prayer for his family and all generations to come would be that they know the wisdom of God, pass it on to their children and grandchildren, and become soul-searching, soul-saving human beings.

And that leads to Tom's legacy chapter. Tom is remembered by friends and family and others he touched as a gentle soul, a sweet spirit, kind, welcoming, generous, a faithful servant, a remarkable man, a patient teacher, a protector, and The Best Dad.

Tom was also a very avid gardener, and his yard was always overflowing with flora, however, throughout his life, Tom was planting seeds in more than just his garden. He planted seeds of faith in his children, grandchildren, friends, and strangers. He planted seeds of kindness, gentleness, and servanthood in his family, churches, and community. And he planted seeds of God's unconditional love in everyone he encountered. His legacy has already seen some of those seeds take root, grow, and produce a harvest, and it will continue to do so for generations to come.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Phyllis Hildebrand, his stepdad Don Hildebrand, his late wife Elaine Hildebrand, and his grandchildren Jason "Jeep" Lloyd, and Joy Guido.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia Hildebrand; children Josh (Kristen) Hildebrand, Melissa Sitton, Chelsea (Daniel) Guido, and Justin (Joanna) Hildebrand; step-children Jason (Whitney) Lloyd and Jeremy Lloyd; twelve grandchildren Vincent, Elijah, Irelynn, Aubrey, Bri, Rocco, Laila, Jackson, Eliana, Julia, Nora, and Lola; siblings Bill Hildebrand, Mary Deters, Norma (Joe) Wohler, Pat (Tom) Flaagan, James (Sandy) Hildebrand, and Annette (Val) Hildebrand.

Tom's sister Pat said it best. "Losing Tom so suddenly, I feel like I didn't get to finish a really interesting, good book."

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Grace Community Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The family will receive guests for a visitation at 10:00 a.m. Internment to follow at Bluebonnet Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.

In addition to flowers, financial contributions in memory of Tom, can be made to The Workshop, a counseling center Tom loved and supported, at workshopcounseling.org, or by check mailed to: 729 Grapevine Highway, #399, Hurst, Texas 76054, or to Mercy Ridge Community Church, a church founded by his eldest son Josh, at mercyridgecc.org, or check mailed to: PO Box 500, Dry Ridge, KY 41035.