Samuel Ray Hildenburg

Samuel Ray Hildenburg was born on December 11, 1996. It was the happiest of days in the lives of his parents, Sydney and Chris Hildenburg. From the time Sam was born, he had an infectious smile and laugh. He never met a stranger, and he lit up every room he walked into. As a child, Sam was very gregarious with an amazing vocabulary. He could talk for hours about nothing. He was sweet and well mannered and always smiled for the camera with a "cheeeeese". When his brother, Ben Hildenburg was born three years later, he was immediately in love. He kissed and doted on Ben with open arms, at least, until the camera showed up to take a picture of Ben. He would then immediately photo bomb every picture with a "cheeeeese". Sam loved his family and spent a lot of time with his grandparents and cousins. He loved to go to the bayou and catch crabs, or as Sam would say, "fwabs". He learned all about fixing things and was always in the middle of it wanting to help. All, in all, though, Sam was so easy going, no matter what it was that you asked him if he wanted to do, the answer was always, "suuuuure," for which he became well known in the family. When the boys were little, the family moved to CR 36 where Sam's dad had grown up. Sam was immediately at home. The two boys were inseparable and spent hours and hours giggling and wrestling. Both boys learned a love of hunting and an appreciation for the beauty of nature from their father, Chris Hildenburg, but Sam had a true passion for it all. They spent hours and hours tromping across the pasture with bb guns just for the sheer joy of it, taking time to watch the animals they came across. He treasured his time at the deer lease with his dad, where we learned he was quite a great shot. Sam was a gifted student who everyone loved to have in their class… especially the little girls he chased and kissed at recess. He was an award-winning swimmer, played Little League and was an avid Boy Scout. The world was a beautiful place. When Sam was nine, his dad died unexpectedly, and Sam had lost his best friend. He never forgot the wonderful things he had learned from his dad, tried to honor him with what he did and missed him every day. In junior high, Sam found football and played as center for the Angleton Wildcats. He kept playing into high school, where he found an outlet for his love of animals in FFA. Sam raised a pig and a heifer and was a natural, raising a Reserve Grand Champion. He had moved into the city in Angleton, but his heart was always still on CR 36, where his grandparents still lived. He began setting up deer stands and helped mend fences and work cows, as always. He spent every spare moment there he could… it was home. Sam found he was good at welding, took welding classes along with FFA and got his NCCER certification. He graduated as a Texas Scholar from Angleton High School in 2015. Having always been happier working with his hands, Sam chose to go straight into the workforce. He worked as a rigger, repaired lawn equipment and worked in HVAC until he finally found he was quite a mechanic. Sam worked at Surfside Marina as a mechanic while going to school to get certified as a Yamaha Certified Technician. Sam died at his home on CR 36, with his faithful dog Charlie by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Chris Hildenburg, his beloved Papa Kenneth Gerdes of Angleton, his aunt Rita Odom Meadows of Fort Valley, Georgia, who held a very special place in his heart, His great Grandparents, Laura and James Graham of Warner Robins, Georgia, Wayne and Frances Hildenburg of Fort Collins, Colorado, Wilbert and Norma Gerdes of La Grange, and George and Ann Ida Davlin of Angleton and Duane Ostermiller of Billings, Montana. He is survived by his mother, Sydney Hildenburg and brother, Ben Hildenburg of Angleton, his Gigi Phyllis Gerdes of Angleton, his Grandma and Grandpa Don and Wanda Guthrie of Angleton, his grandparents Steve and Sallie Hildenburg of Billings, Montana and his Great Grandmother JoAnn Ostermiller of Billings, Montana, his sweet Great Aunt Barbara Meadows of Angleton and his Great Godmother, Pat Taylor of Brenham. He is also survived by his cousins, Dillon Guthrie of Fairview, New Jersey, New York and his Angleton cousins, all of whom, including Sam and Ben were born one year apart… Colton Meadows, Callie Davlin Scott with her now husband, Justin Scott, (Sam was then the third born in the cousin line-up), Hannah Meadows, Trevor Davlin, and Sam's brother, Ben, who is the baby of the group. Although they were cousins, they grew up close and always seemed more like siblings. He, of course, is still survived by many other beloved family members, dear friends and loved ones, as well. He was loved sincerely. Sam was a true ray of light and kindness and will be very sorely missed in this world and by his loved ones each and every single day. A Memorial Service for Sam Hildenburg will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church in Angleton, 130 S. Arcola. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Texas Wildlife Association, 644 FM 1102, New Braunfels, Texas 78132 or the Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corps, 600 E. Orange, Angleton, TX 77515 or to our church. Service Details. Service When Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 10:00am Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book