Stephen Dennis Hibbard

Stephen Dennis Hibbard passed away on Nov. 1, 2020 at the age of 73. Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, November 20th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, 76013. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 21, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Arlington and will be livestreamed at Grace Lutheran Church Arlington Facebook page. Burial to follow at Moore Memorial Gardens at 1:00 p.m. Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to GLEE Playground Fund, Grace Lutheran Church, 210 W Park Row Drive, Arlington, Texas 76010 or the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. Visit nlp.utexas.edu for giving information. Steve was born on July 28, 1947 in Lamar, Colorado to Barbara Butler and Albert Schmale, and was later adopted by Fred Hibbard when he and Barbara married. Steve grew up in Dodge City, Kansas, where he enjoyed an idyllic 1950s childhood, bowled competitively in junior high and worked in his grandfather's grocery store. Upon moving to Arlington in 1961, he attended Sam Houston High School ('65), where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Franklin. Together, they enjoyed many adventures, including hiking and extensive travel, especially beach trips. Best of all, they loved raising their only daughter, Stephanie Hibbard Schmidt. Steve dedicated most of the last 50 years to the aerospace industry, beginning his career at ASC and working most recently for SeyTec. His clients and co-workers knew him as an expert in the field, a hard worker and a good friend. In his free time, Steve was an avid bridge player and sports fan, who devotedly watched the Cowboys, Rangers and Longhorns. You could always count on him to know the latest sports trivia. He loved meeting friends at his favorite restaurants, watching his grandkids play sports, and spending time with his daughter's and brother's families. Steve was a kind, thoughtful man with a warm smile who will be deeply missed by those who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Barbara Hibbard and Albert Schmale, and his wife, Shirley. Steve was survived by his brothers, Gordon Hibbard (wife, Sharon) and Albert Schmale, Jr.; daughter, Stephanie Schmidt (husband, Jim); and grandchildren, Rachel Schmidt, Katelyn Schmidt and Jay Schmidt. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233