Col. Jay F. Feibelman

Jay was born in Ohio to Joseph and Jean Feibelman. His family eventually settled in Houston, Texas, where he attended Lamar High School. Jay enlisted in the Air Force in 1957. Also in 1957, he married Nancy Cherry and in 1959, their son Robert was born. Upon finishing his four-year enlistment, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1962. He returned to the Air Force and was commissioned as an officer in 1963. Their second son Scott was born that same year. Jay’s Air Force travels took the family many places in the United States and around the world, such as bases in Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, and Okinawa, Japan. Jay was also stationed in Taiwan and South Korea. In his career, Jay earned an MBA and many distinguished awards including the Air Traffic (AF) Controller Badge, AF Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, AF Longevity Award, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, AF Outstanding Unit Award, AF Organizational Excellence Award, AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, AF Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Legion of Merit. Jay retired as a full colonel in 1989 with a combined 30 years of service.

In 1993 shortly after moving the Garden Ridge, Jay won a seat on the city council. In 1995, he was elected to the office of mayor for Garden Ridge, where he served until 2013. During his tenure, he constructed a modern city hall complex, community center, and elevated water storage tanks. He secured water from the Trinity Aquifer (making it the city's primary water source), created a modern library facility, established a full-time police department, and championed the FM 3009 expansion to four lanes which included two overpasses bypassing active railroad tracks.

Combined, Jay spent 48 years in public service.

Jay was a wonderful husband and fantastic dad. He took Nancy on many vacations to the Orient and Europe. Family vacations were numerous and very special. With Bob and Scott, he did Cub and Boy Scouts, rebuilt engines, went to Astros and Texas Rangers baseball games, and bought a boat which they all water skied. During his years serving Garden Ridge, he had a warm heart for cold noses. Jay often found stray dogs and worked to find loving homes for each and all. There isn’t a better husband, dad, or friend than Jay.

Jay is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Jean Feibelman, and his older brother, James Feibelman. Jay leaves his wife Nancy of 68 years, his sons Robert, Scott and his wife Elia, grandchildren Alyssa, Michael, Matthew, Maria, and great grandchildren Jada and Brianna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area at (830) 629-5287, 3353 Morningside Drive, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, or https://hsnba.org/.

Services are pending and will be provided once obtained.