James Ray Hildebrand

Former Live Oak Mayor, San Antonio Police Detective and District Attorney Investigator James Ray Hildebrand passed away Friday, July 23, 2010 in his wife's arms at San Antonio's Northeast Baptist Hospital. In addition to his wife, Suzanne, he was surrounded by his beloved nurse, Lisa Montgomery and his treasured doctors, Gregory Buser and William Mallott.

Born December 15, 1939, he was preceded in death by his parents, Aline Merrill Hildebrand and James H. Hildebrand, his brothers, Donald Sherman Hildebrand and Wayne Daniel Hildebrand and sister Rose Hildebrand Anderson.

Mr. Hildebrand attended East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi and Southwestern Louisiana Institute at Lafayette, Louisiana on football scholarships. Fondly known to friends and colleagues as Ray Hildebrand, he joined the San Antonio Police Department in July 1961 and proudly served the citizens of San Antonio until his retirement in 1988. He spent 17 years of his career as a Robbery Detective and during that time was assigned as Bank Robbery Liaison to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was one of the first five officers from SAPD to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation SWAT Training program.

Mr. Hildebrand was also a member of the San Antonio Police Panthers semi-pro football team, playing his last game at the age of 40.

Upon his retirement, Mr. Hildebrand successfully ran for the Live Oak City Council and was elected to two terms as a Councilman and an additional two more terms as Mayor. He arranged for the first St. Phillips College campus in Live Oak and was instrumental in the formation of the Northeast Partnership which has led to the development of the Forum and other important businesses in the area.

While serving the citizens of Live Oak, he was elected President of Region VII, Texas Municipal League and also served as a Board Member of the Texas Municipal League. In 2005 and 2006, he chaired the Live Oak City Charter Review Committee. In 1999, Mr. Hildebrand joined the staff of then newly elected District Attorney Susan Reed as Criminal Investigator, a position he held until he suffered a stroke on April 16, 2008.

Ever the consummate public servant, he continued to serve the people of the San Antonio and outlying communities even after his stroke by allowing his story to be told. That story, featured prominently on KSAT 12 News, helped to shed light on the fact that stroke victims like him had no crucial immediate, emergency care in San Antonio because local hospitals had no stroke protocol in place. In fact, Mr. Hildebrand had to be airlifted to Austin to receive care shortly after he suffered the stroke two years ago. That has all changed now. In addition, he was the subject of a regular San Antonio Express News column blog written by his wife Suzanne, who has become a leading, local stroke advocate.

Mr. Hildebrand served 20 years in the United States Army and Texas Army National Guard. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and served as Commander of the National Guard Unit in Kerrville.

Mr. Hildebrand is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne; and his son Ashley Harris Hildebrand and grandson, Lance Hildebrand.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Monday, July 26, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2010

2:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Rev. Rev. Odis Doyal of Divine Savior Lutheran Church will officiate. Mr. Hildebrand will be entombed following the service at Sunset Memorial Park on Austin Highway. Pallbearers will be Retired DPS Corporal/Retired Comal County Fire Marshal Lin Manford, retired Live Oak Police Chief Mark Jackley, former U.S. Attorney/Assistant District Attorney Bill Blagg, retired SAPD Officer/Senior District Attorney Investigator Mike Beers, KSAT News Anchor Steve Spreister, and former Live Oak City Council Member Roy Schauffele. Honorary Pallbearers are Mark Hildebrand nephew, Popcorn Scaife and the Bexar County District Attorney Criminal Investigators.