Dr. Gary Hilburn

Mooresville – Dr. Gary Burton Hilburn, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 19, 2021 at Huntersville Medical Center. He was born in Forsyth County on March 30, 1961. Gary was a graduate of Oak Ridge Military Academy, received his master’s degree from University of California at Berkley, and then received his PhD from Yale University. He served his country in the United States Military for 14 years, first as a Green Beret with the United States Army and later as a Pilot with the Air Force. He also served in the United States Special Forces. During his time in the Air Force, Gary felt his greatest achievement was attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was fluent in four different languages including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Serbian-Croatian. Gary loved aviation and the beach and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Angie. He loved his wife as well as their two cats, Skeeter and Oliver. Gary was a loving husband, father, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, Burton Chapel Swaim and Kathryn Clinard Swaim; and his father-in-law, Joseph Clifton Sinclair. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 18 years, Angie Sinclair Hilburn; two children, Ryan Nicole Hilburn (fiancé, James) and Gary “Burton” Hilburn II (wife, Krystal) all of Michigan; his sister-in-law, Sandra Crawford (husband, Jerry); mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law, Mary and Richard DeHart; his dear friends, Crissa Lemley, Linda Godwin and their families; as well as many others who will miss him dearly.

A graveside service for Gary will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, NC at 114 N. Oakwood Drive, Statesville, NC 28677 with Pastor Bryan Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel is assisting the family.