James E. Sonneborn

James E. Sonneborn was born January 10th, 1923 in Wheeling, West Virginia, the only son of Alfred K. and Ethyl P. Sonneborn. He passed away at his home in San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, October 28th 2007. Mr. Sonneborn graduated from WheelingÂ's Triadelphia High School, where he was a participant in the schoolÂ's marching band, concert orchestra, and dance band. After WWII, he attended the University of West Virginia and later graduated from the University of Maryland. He also completed the University of WisconsinÂ's Graduate Studies in Public Relations. Mr. Sonneborn enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was assigned to the WWII European Theater and participated in Combat Operations with Company C, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and other service medals. After the War, Mr. Sonneborn was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. During his career, he was assigned as an Infantry Officer and later as a Public Information Officer. He retired from the Army in 1965 after varied command and staff assignments in infantry, armored infantry, and headquarters units in the United States, Korea, Japan, Germany and France. In recognition of his service in France, the French government awarded him their Â"Medaille de Verdun.Â" In 1965, Mr. Sonneborn served as a District Scout Executive with the Hagerstown, Maryland Boy Scout Council. In 1966, he returned to government service as a Department of Army civilian at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. His subsequent assignments included positions at the Office of the Army Surgeon General and the Headquarters, U.S. Army Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio. He retired from Civil Service in 1987 as the Deputy Chief of Public Affairs. During his service with the Army Medical Department, Mr. Sonneborn was a member of the American Society of Hospital Public Relations and a Fellow of the Academy of Hospital Public Relations. Mr. Sonneborn was a life-long member of the Episcopal Church. He was licensed as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and as a Lay Reader in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He completed the education for ministry program from the School of Theology, University of the South. Mr. Sonneborn was also a life-long member of the Boy Scouts of America. He attended the first National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC in 1937 as a Boy Scout from Wheeling, WV. He served on the National Jamboree staff for six subsequent National Jamborees. He was a member of the Alamo Area Council Executive Board. Mr. Sonneborn was an endowed and 50-year member of the Charles W. Anderson Masonic Lodge No. 1413, and Tranquility Lodge No. 2000. He was a 50-year member of the San Antonio Scottish Rite, designated as a Knight Commander of the Knights Templar and member of San Antonio Commandery No. 7, a member of the Texian York Rite College No. 60, Texas Council No. 45, Knight Masons, St. Anthony Chapter, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, and Alzafar Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. He was a life member of the Alzafar Shrine Band and a former president of the Texas Shrine Band Association. Mr. Sonneborn was a member and past president of the San Antonio High Twelve Club and served as a trustee for the Texas High Twelve International. He and his wife Sara were members of the Wimodausis Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Sonneborn was a member of Windcrest American Legion Post 612, the Retired OfficersÂ' Association, the National Sojourners, and the Heroes of Â'76. He was a lifetime charter member of the National World War II Memorial and the Military Officers Association of America. Mr. Sonneborn also was a member of the San Antonio Livestock and Exposition, the Army Historical Society, and the National Flag Foundation. He was a dedicated B.R.A.G. Volunteer at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mr. Sonneborn is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sara; his son, James D. Sonneborn; his daughter, Suzanne McGinn, and three grandsons: Jonathan, Timothy, and Zachary.