Eric Paul Bilbo

Eric Paul Bilbo

Magnolia First Baptist Church 18525 FM 1488 Magnolia, Texas 77354 Saturday June 23, 2018 2:00 pm.

Eric Bilbo 1966 – 2018, of Magnolia, TX died suddenly on the night of June 12, 2018, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Chantell Durso Bilbo, his sons, Hunter Bilbo, Eric Bilbo and Chase Bilbo, his daughters, Ashley Durso and Leah Griswold his son-in-law, Gabriel Griswold, Ashley Durso and his grandsons, Nicolas and Joshua Merrick (sons of Ashley Durso and Kendal Merrick) and his granddaughter, Melody Griswold (daughter of Leah and Gabriel Griswold.) His parents are Virginia and Paul Bilbo and is survived by his mother Virginia Bilbo, one sister and two brothers, Trish Bilbo, Todd and Greg Bilbo as well as two sisters-in-laws, Debbie and Brittany Bilbo, eight nieces and nephews, Josh, Brianna and Maddie Bilbo and Colton and Katie Pavlu (parents Todd and Debbie Bilbo), Thomas Bilbo (mother Trish Bilbo) and Gavin and Gracie Bilbo (parents Greg and Brittany Bilbo.) Eric was born in Houston TX and was a graduate of Westfield High School class of 1985 and graduated with his AAS Criminal justice/Law enforcement and served as both Patrol officer and reserve from years 1994 – 1999 in Eagle Lake, Texas. He dedicated his life for 18 plus years to Lincoln Manufacturing, which he called his second family, second home. He met his wife to be in December 2001. Four years later they wed in a beautiful ceremony held outside their home with family and friends including their two daughters and three sons. They have lived and raised their children in Magnolia, Texas for the past 18 years. He was a loving, doting father and his legacy lives on through his children. Eric was proud of each one and enjoyed being part of their lives as a dedicated and supportive parent who loved coaching his sons in flag football with i9 Sports and was excited when his sons joined the MYFA youth tackle football the Warriors and became his son’s biggest fan. He was a constant fixture on the field, watching practices and cheering at the games. When the Bilbo Boys entered Jr. High School and started playing 7th and 8th grade sports, you could always look around and find him watching with intense pride recording the plays with his phone as he cheered on the Magnolia Jr High Mustangs. He was looking forward to his eldest son entering high school as a freshman and anticipating freshman football with the Magnolia West High School Mustangs. He walked both daughters Ashley and Leah down the aisle full of pride on their wedding day and welcomed the birth of his grandsons, Nicolas and Joshua Merrick and as the years go by, he welcomed his granddaughter Melody. Eric was fond of his girls and treated them as if they were truly his own and loved them unconditionally. Ashley was 17 and Leah 5 when they became a part of his life forever. He lived his younger years hunting, fishing, playing and working hard. Eric loved spending time with his parents and siblings and would share past stories and his adventures with his own family. Like the time his father gave him a BB gun and he snuck out the front door armed and ready and shot at the birds in the tree, needless to say his father wasn’t happy and as I recall he mentioned his backside was a little red. You could always find Big Eric and his sons Hunter, Eric and Chase glued in front of a tv during the sports season either cheering for joy or yelling at the screen. He loved John Wayne, old War movies, Lonesome Dove, and would watched them endlessly. He loved being outside and every Saturday you could see him in his yard watering the grass and flowers, riding or pushing his lawnmower, weed eating and using his blower, a shovel in hand turning the soil, but the one thing you would see driving by was him playing with his sons and grandchildren, helping his daughter take care of the horses and washing his truck, jumping on the trampoline and teaching his sons to swim in the pool. He listened to heavy metal with his boys and youngest daughter Leah, he was a man who tolerated pop music with both his daughters and would sing the wiggles songs to his three sons and dance to cold spaghetti, mashed potatoes. He listened to AM radio every morning on his way to work and every evening going home. He loved his home team Texans and was able to watch the Astros win the world championship sitting at home in front of his television, he was proud of the Rockets for how far they went this season. Eric was passionate about BBQ and was an excellent grill master for his family and friends, especially his brisket he many times over prepared for birthdays, mothers and father’s day and The Fourth of July. Eric proudly fired up his pit for the most special occasion, his daughters Ashley and Leah’s wedding day, including his own. Eric Paul Bilbo was a Beloved Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend, Husband, Father and a Christian who will be dearly loved, remembered, missed forever by his family, friends and generations to come. Fill not your hearts in pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, I’ve only gone to rest awhile. Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So dry your eyes and remember me, not as I am now but as I used to be. I will remember you all and look on with a smile, understand in your hearts I’ve only gone to rest for a while. As long as I have the love of each of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you. Family First offers our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to his wife, Chantell and the rest of his family and friends.