By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@sbnewspaper.com
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX—The Laguna Madre area is mourning the loss of a beloved City Councilman with San Benito ties.
Longtime South Padre Island City Council Member John Kenneth “Ken” Medders Jr. hailed from Resaca City, and decades of public service left a lasting impact on the Island and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Medders died on June 11 after a brief illness. He was 77.
At the time of his passing, Medders served on the South Padre Island Board of Aldermen, the city’s governing council. According to his family, his most recent term marked his 50th year in public service.
Known for his dedication to community service and his approachable nature, Medders spent much of his life serving the public through elected office, banking, conservation, and civic organizations.
Born and raised in San Benito, Medders attended local schools and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville.
He later attended Texas Lutheran University, where he played football, before returning to the Valley to work in his family’s agricultural aviation businesses, Sun Valley Air Corp. and Ken Medders Aircraft Sales.
Medders, a licensed pilot who completed his first solo flight at age 17, maintained his commercial pilot’s license throughout his life and also served in the National Guard.
After the family business was sold, he entered the banking industry and eventually retired as a bank president at Prosperity Bank.
Family members said he took pride in helping first-time homebuyers and small businesses and was known as a banker who worked with people from all economic backgrounds.
Medders’ public service began with his election to the San Benito City Council in 1976. He later served on the South Padre Island Board of Aldermen in the early 1990s and returned to office in 2017, continuing his service until his death.
Throughout his career, he also served as mayor pro tem in both San Benito and South Padre Island and held staff and legislative positions with Texas state senators and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
His service extended beyond elected office. Over the years, he served on the Cameron County Appraisal Review Board, the Cameron County Airport Board, the City of Austin Airport Advisory Board, and the Rio Grande Valley Coastal Conservation Board.
He was also active in numerous organizations, including the Coastal Conservation Association, Rotary International, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Texas International Fishing Tournament.
Fishing and aviation remained lifelong passions, and many of his volunteer efforts focused on protecting and preserving the Texas coast.
Those who knew Medders often described him as genuinely caring about people and remaining connected to the community throughout his life.
Mary P. Bolado, a fellow San Benito High School classmate, remembered Medders for his thoughtfulness and his willingness to reach out to others during difficult times.
“Ken, you never forgot your school classmates, especially when we lost our loved ones. You always sent your condolences and special notes about wonderful memories,” Bolado wrote in an online tribute. “You will be missed, amigo.”
Medders is survived by his son, Carl David Medders; daughter-in-law, Mary Medders; grandchildren Samuel and Delia Medders; longtime partner, Maritza Hoffman; and numerous extended family members and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on July 1 at Chapel by the Sea on South Padre Island. Visitation is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by a remembrance service at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to South Padre Island Friends of Animal Rescue.
As residents, colleagues, and friends reflect on Medders’ life and legacy, many highlight the relationships he built and the communities he served over five decades of public life.
His passing marks the end of a career dedicated to public service and leaves a lasting legacy on South Padre Island and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Fellow SPI Council Member Aarin Hartwell wrote after Medders’ passing, “Tonight’s council meeting was difficult. I arrived early, and as I walked into the council chambers, I was immediately struck by what was missing. Normally, the only person there that early is Ken. He would sit quietly before every meeting, reviewing the agenda while sipping a tiny Coke from the city manager’s fridge. Realizing he wouldn’t be there tonight was the moment my heart broke, and it was hard to recover from it.”
“Throughout the evening, many people shared their love, admiration, and gratitude for Ken’s service to our community. One moment that especially touched me was when Victor Baldovinos shared that his team deeply misses Ken and had created a memorial for him at (the) recycling (event) last Saturday,” Hartwell went on a social media post.
“Thank you to the SPI Environmental Health Team for setting out Ken’s tent and chair and for remembering the dog treats he always kept on hand to spoil our local pups. Your thoughtfulness was such a beautiful tribute to the kind of person he was,” she added.