Hilton O. Garnes, Jr.

Hilton Oneal Garnes, Jr. was born in New York City, N.Y. on March 6, 1948 to Hilton O. Garnes, Sr. and Thelma Faison Garnes, the second of three children. At a young age, Hilton went to live with his maternal grandparents in North Carolina where his Christian values were firmly instilled. His Christian journey included membership at Good Faith Baptist Church in Plano, Texas prior to joining Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.

He graduated from Douglass High School in Warsaw, N.C. in 1966, and went on to pursue a degree in mathematics at Howard University. It was there that he met the love of his life, Gloria Thompson. After earning his degree in 1970, Hilton and Gloria were united in marriage, in August 1971 (46 years). He continued his pursuit of higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School, where he earned an MBA in 1972. His formal education was then completed when he earned his CPA license in 1993.

After receiving his graduate degree, Hilton entered the U.S. Marine Corps where he earned the rank of 1st Lt. before leaving active duty. He continued his service in the USMC Reserves for a total of 30 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

During his long and active career, Hilton had many associations both in the business world and his community. He contributed his knowledge and experience to Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., Texas Instruments, Xerox, USAA, HEB, and the Air Force Audit Agency, from which he retired in 2012. As a devoted member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, Hilton served on the Trustee Board and the Credit Union Board, was a member of Sunday School Class #1, a member of Mission #3, and a volunteer at the Food Bank Ministry and with the Parking Lot Ministry. Upon retiring, he became a mentor with San Antonio SCORE and served as their treasurer for several years. Hilton was also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He enjoyed spending time with his family, movie dates with his wife and golfing with his buddies.

Hilton was preceded in death by his father, Hilton Garnes, Sr., his mother Thelma Garnes, his sister Mable Taylor, and his grandparents Thomas and Mary Sue Faison. Hilton leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Gloria, his daughter, Gayla (Adrian) Moore of Coppell, TX, his son Hilton, III of San Antonio, his sister Angelena Garnes of Durham, NC, his precious grandchildren Maxwell Alexander and Olivia Grace, and a host of loving relatives and friends.