Charles Roy Hurlbut

Charles “Chuck” Hurlbut, 84, of Tuscola, TX, passed away on the evening of January 11, 2026 in Abilene, TX.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander in Abilene, with Rev. Karen Boyd officiating. Interment will follow at the church’s columbarium. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6440 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.

Chuck was born in French Camp, San Joaquin County, CA, to Orrin and Gertrude Hurlbut on March 14, 1941. He grew up in San Mateo, CA, and graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Science Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He also did some doctoral coursework in Physics at the University of California Berkeley focusing on virus research. He was the first person to successfully dissect a virus with an electron microscope; this advancement was applauded by his scientific colleagues. He was associated with a number of national laboratories, including Fermi National Accelerator, the Oak Ridge Labs, and Lawrence Livermore in CA, among others. A tireless and creative man who had his pulse on the future, he worked with the FBI, CIA, and DHS.

Chuck married Priscilla Humber, also a student from Penn, on May 26, 1962, in Philadelphia, PA, her father officiating. After years of work in the Chemistry and Physics applications industry, he became founder and general manager of ElJen (named for his daughters) in Sweetwater, TX, where he worked for 29 years in these fields. Over the years he received many accolades and awards worldwide and in the US for his distinctive work and accomplishments, which touched upon national security, medical advancement, and the space program, among others. The main focus of his work was radiation detection in these various disciplines. He held a number of patents for his scientific application inventions.

Chuck enjoyed vegetable gardening, astronomy, target shooting, playing piano, choir participation, and was a faithful church member, most recently of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Sweetwater and of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father Orrin, mother Gertrude Haas, brother Daryl, and sister Judith. He is survived by his wife Priscilla, daughter Elizabeth Lea Shoemaker, and daughter Jennifer Eve Bole, as well as five granddaughters Katherine, Jessica, Alice, Caroline, and Hannah, and two young great-grandchildren Arthur and Clara.

Memorials may be given to the above-mentioned churches.

Charles Hurlbut’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the Hamil Family Funeral Home, Hendrick Hospital, Hendrick Rehab, Hendrick Hospice, Encompass Rehab Hospital, and Wesley Court Senior Living.