Richmond mayor, who served for 63 years, remembered as 'icon'

Hilmar Moore had been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies. He ran for 29 elections with only 6 of them being opposed. "Nobody want the job," he said. "I started out being paid $1 a month and now for the last 10 years it's been $75 a month. I'm a pretty frugal guy but I have to work outside the city to make a living". Moore died died Tuesday at age 92. less Hilmar Moore had been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies. He ran for 29 elections with only 6 of them being opposed. "Nobody want the job," he said. "I started out ... more Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Richmond mayor, who served for 63 years, remembered as 'icon' 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, one of the longest-serving mayors in the state's history, died Tuesday at age 92.

Moore, a fifth-generation Texan, was appointed in September 1949 to fill an unexpired term as mayor of Richmond. His uninterrupted terms in the city's top seat - he served for 63 years - are believed to be the longest, successive tenure of service of a mayor in Texas, and the longest in the United States.

Moore died of natural causes, said his son, Jack Moore, a Richmond lawyer. He said that his father had been hospitalized for seven weeks before his death.

"We appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support that the community has given to us at this time," he said.

Hilmar Guenther Moore was born July 28, 1920, to Dorethea Guenther Moore and John M. Moore Jr., in San Antonio, and spent his entire life in Richmond.

He graduated from Richmond High School in 1939 and attended the University of Texas School of Law, but left in 1942. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps where he became an aircraft navigator. He was awarded three air medals and four battle stars while based in Saipan with the Fourth Sea Rescue Squadron.

Mayor Moore, whose ancestors were among the Old 300 Colony of Settlers brought into the Fort Bend county area by Stephen F. Austin, began his ranching career at age 6, and as an adult, he and his brother successfully operated a family cattle business that had been in operation since 1822, according to the City of Richmond website.

He served leadership positions on numerous livestock organizations on the local, state, regional and national levels, including president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He served on the board of the King Ranch for nine years.

Mayor Moore was honored with a life-size statue at City Hall in October 2008.

His passing sent shock waves through the tight-knit Fort Bend County community.

"It's the end of an era," said County Judge Bob Hebert, who ordered county flags to be flown at half-mast in Moore's honor. "There's only one of him."

As the largest landowner in Fort Bend County, Hilmar Moore "didn't have to be mayor," Hebert said. "The job didn't pay anything. He did it because he loved doing it. To get in there and handle the people's business for decades shows that he's just a special kind of guy."

Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella called Hilmar Moore an "icon and a legend."

"A lot of people never make 63 in the world, let alone run a city for 63 years," said Scarcella, who was elected mayor of Stafford in 1969 and has served 43 consecutive years. "He had the ability to adapt over the decades.

"As mayor there's almost a new problem every day," Scarcella said, "and to have the flexibility and dexterity and astuteness to deal with whatever came along with a strong, aggressive approach, has elevated the city to where it is today. He is not only appreciated but greatly respected."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples echoed Scarcella's sentiments.

"In a state that's world-renowned for deserving heroes and celebrated legacies, Hilmar Moore was a legend, whose commitment to others impacted generations of Texans," Staples said in a statement. "His passing at 92 years old leaves us deeply saddened, but also eternally grateful. A true Texas gentleman with a strong work ethic and contagious sense of humor, Hilmar leaves behind a legacy of character, service and integrity that will continue to define Texas for decades to come."

Richmond Mayor Pro Tem Bill Dostal will perform the mayor's duties until a successor is chosen, City Manager Terri Vela said. The Richmond City Commission will decide on a course of action in next few days, she said.