Larry Hidalgo passed away on February 2, 2020 at the age of 90. He was born in Weeks Island, Louisiana to Willia and Hypolite Hidalgo. He was preceded in death by his best friend and beloved wife of 65 years, Nadine. He was also preceded in death by his parents and brother, Frank Edward Hidalgo. Larry is survived by his four children: Cindy and Jim Holmgreen, Debbie Hidalgo, Marcia Hidalgo and Michael Hidalgo; his four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Sue and J Holmgreen (Tristen and Ava), Andi and David Holmgreen (Addi), Adreann and Darren Peters (Ryleigh and Laynee) and Joshua Hidalgo; his sister Birdie Rousse; his sister-in-law Barbara Hidalgo and nieces, nephews and other extended family dear to Larry. The family wishes to thank Dennis Trapp for assisting Larry in his final years enabling him to live at home.
Larry joined the Air Force in 1946 at the age of 17 and retired with 27 years in 1973. After a short sabbatical he entered the Civil Service in 1974 and retired with 23 years in 1997 – having served his country for 50 years. Larry’s service was spent at 10 stateside and 2 overseas locations. Larry was a computer man – a programmer and a systems analyst. For the period 1962 – 1964, while in England he received the Air Force Commendation Medal (Oak Cluster) for his supervision and implementation of the military leave accounting conversion program which entailed auditing of 1300 individual leave records – done with no accounting errors. In 1976 at Randolph AFB he was considered a “pioneer” in the data systems business. He was the lead analyst and tasked with the “mammoth” project of incorporating an older personnel system into a newer, more sophisticated personnel system – supporting 250,000 Air Force Civilians worldwide – or, that’s how they got paid. He was recognized as an expert in his field.
In 1966 Larry and Nadine moved to Randolph AFB and ultimately retired as Texans. He became a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma and remained a member until death. Larry was one of the founders and a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 6856 in Selma. He was a Grand Knight for Council 6856 and later served as District Deputy. In the 1970s Larry served as a Councilman for the City of Live Oak. Larry was also President of the Bracken Bowling Club for 10 years.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel with interment following.
A little girl wise beyond her years said, “TwoPa is with MaMa now … she makes everything better.”