Harold Ethridge Hebson

Harold Ethridge Hebson, 63, passed away peacefully Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Fort Worth surrounded by family and friends. Memorial service: A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive. Memorials: Auburn University Endowment Investment Office, Memo: Brandt Visiting Industry Professor Endowment, 1907 S. College St., Suite 202, Auburn, Ala. 36849; Reel Recovery Texas (for men living with cancer), 160 Brookside Road, Needham, MA 02492; UT Southwestern Medical Center Office of Development, Memo: Dr. Brugarolas' Kidney Cancer Program, Box 910888, Dallas, Texas 75391-0888. Harold was born in Sylacauga, Ala., on Sept. 13, 1950, to James McCall Hebson and Ruth Ethridge Hebson. He attended public schools in Sylacauga and graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a BS degree in building science. He also completed the executive education program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Harold began his career with Manhattan Construction in Muskogee, Okla., joining Linbeck Construction, now the Linbeck Group, LLC, in Houston in 1974. He started as an estimator and then was a project director and client executive, working closely with the firm's institutional clients on many award-winning projects, including Space Center Houston, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and a myriad of projects at TCU, including the Mary Wright Admission Center. Harold was involved with numerous ventures across the United States and internationally. In 2011, after 37 years, he retired from Linbeck as a senior vice president. Harold was a passionate alumnus of Auburn University. He was the longest continuously serving member of Auburn's Building Science Industry Advisory Committee. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn. Harold's community leadership included service on the Citizens Oversight Committee for the Fort Worth Independent School District's Capital Improvement Program. Harold met his wife, Patti Schneider, in 1977 and they were married New Year's Eve that year. Over the years, their anniversary and New Year's Eve were celebrated with notable themes such as the Hebson Hat Party. Harold enjoyed cooking and grilling and treated many friends and neighbors to pulled pork, steaks, ribs and gumbo. He enjoyed family vacations, traveling with friends and Auburn football games. Harold was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors: His wife of 36 years, Patricia Hebson, of Fort Worth; son, CW3 Philip Hebson of Clarksville, Tenn.; daughter, Elicia McGarry and husband, Sean, of Fort Worth; grandson, Riley McGarry; brother, James Hebson Jr. and wife, Renee, of Auburn, Ala.; sister, Ann Tillman and husband, Keith, of Linden, Ala.; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members; and a host of close friends.