Charles Roy Hurlbut

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

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 26 at 11:00 am at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander in Abilene, with Rev. Karen Boyd officiating. Internment will follow at the church’s columbarium. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 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 from the University of Pennsylvania in their Masters of Science program. He also studied at the University of California Berkeley in their doctoral program, focusing on virus research, the first in the world to dissect a virus. He married Priscilla Humber on May 26, 1962, in Philadelphia, PA. He was founder and general manager of ElJen Technology in Sweetwater, where he worked for 29 years in his fields of Chemistry and Physics. He has received many accolades for his distinctive work, which touched upon national security, medical advancement, and the space program, among other things. Most significant of these achievements was his international Glenn Knoll Award by IEEE for his contribution to Radiation Detection technologies. He was a member 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 wife Priscilla, daughter Elizabeth Lea Shoemaker, and daughter Jennifer Eve Bole.

Memorials may be given to the above mentioned churches.

Charles Hurlbut’s family wish to extend sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospital, Hendrick Rehab, Hendrick Hospice, Encompass Rehab Hospital, and Wesley Court.