Carl Lester Kilman was born on December 7, 1944, in Tyler, Texas, to Trudy Bernice Holland Kilman and Glen Nathaniel Kilman. From the very beginning, he lived life on his own terms, full of humor, a little adventure, and always with a story to tell.

He served as an aircraft engine mechanic in the United States Air Force and was part of the Air Rescue Service, supporting both combat and peacetime missions. While that was an important chapter of his life, those who knew Carl will remember him most for his larger-than-life personality.

A natural storyteller, Carl, had a way of getting a laugh out of just about anyone. He delivered his jokes with confidence, and you never knew what he might say next.

That same confidence showed up in the way he approached any project. Carl had a natural talent for fixing and building things, always able to figure out how they worked and make them better. He was both creative and resourceful.

Carl had a deep love for animals and a bit of a wild streak. Many will remember him riding his Goldwing motorcycle with his dog, Slick, right behind him, doggie goggles and all.

In his younger years, Carl was athletic and active, spending much of his time on the water. He loved water skiing and was known to be quite good at it. Later in life, he made his home at Lake O' the Pines, where he spent his days fishing and hanging out at the corner store.

Carl made the most important decision of his life when he came to know God personally and surrendered his life to Christ. Now, he begins his final chapter in Heaven, at peace and reunited with those who went before him, including his beloved Big Mama.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Velma Hart and Mary Jean Nichols; and his grandson, Brendyn Hopper.

He is survived by his sister, Alecia Watson; his daughters, Carla Swearingen and husband, Stan Swearingen, Sherry Crossland and husband, Dale Crossland, and Kelly Woods and husband, Ted Woods Jr.; his grandchildren, Jennifer McGilvary and husband, Nick McGilvary, Taylor Swearingen and wife, Keelie Kempf, Lauren Mikolajczyk and husband, John Mikolajczyk, Austin Collingsworth, and Lanie Woods; and his great-grandchildren, Chloe, Miles, Ava, Bentley, Willow, Iris, Easland, and Wyatt.

Carl will be remembered for his humor, his adventurous and free-spirited way of life, and the laughter he brought wherever he went. His stories may have ended here, but the memories he created will live on in all who knew and loved him.