State Sen. Juan Hinojosa leads tributes to Texas-Mexico border champion Jake Fuller

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MCALLEN, Texas – State Sen. Juan Hinojosa has led the tributes to Texas-Mexico border champion Jacob C. ‘Jake’ Fuller.

The longtime driving force behind the Border Health Caucus died last week at the age of 83.

Hinojosa is slated to give an address at a memorial service for Fuller. It will be held October 12, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in McAllen.

“I am saddened by the passing of Jake Fuller. He was always full of energy and focused on his goals. Until the end, Jake worked tirelessly and was a strong advocate for his healthcare clients. I was privileged to work with him on many of those issues. Jake was a longtime friend and supporter of mine. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace and be in Heaven,” Hinojosa said.

Around 20 years ago, Hinojosa worked with Fuller and healthcare consultant Carlos Zaffirini, Jr., to hold back the introduction of managed care in South Texas.

Zaffirini said: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend, Jake Fuller, whose kindness and thoughtful spirit touched the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Having met Jake when I was 16, I was fortunate to have his unwavering support and guidance for over two decades, a testament to the incredible person he was. His contributions to our company from its inception were invaluable, reflecting his dedication and visionary approach to every endeavor he undertook. Jake’s impact on public policy in South Texas, especially in McAllen, is immeasurable. His thoughtful leadership and commitment to the community have left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit the region for years to come.”

Tom Banning, chief executive officer and executive vice president of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, said he would remember Jake Fuller for his boundless energy.

“No matter how dire the situation, Jake was always positive, upbeat and had a smile on his face. He really loved people. It would be an understatement to say he had a big, infectious personality, but he had an even bigger heart,” Banning said.

“I’m not sure if Jake ever met a stranger, but if he did, by the end of their conversation you’d know his whole like story and his authentic love for South Texas. He was passionate about the potential of South Texas and wanted to share his experiences with federal and state policy makers, the media and quite honestly anyone within earshot that was willing to listen.

“He loved to dance and would rarely turn down the opportunity to share a drink and a story, which made for some long nights and tough mornings.”

James C. Moore, is a New York Times best selling author, from Austin, Texas.

Moore said: “Jake and I took several motorcycle trips together to Big Bend. On the bike, he was like most of us, a boy again, exploring the world outside his backyard. Never stopped smiling. He loved the big Texas sky and the wide open deserts West of the Pecos. Always full of questions, too. Not afraid to ask about subjects he did not know. Constantly generous. Jake never let anyone pick up a check, no matter how hard they protested. Always kept everyone laughing.

“We had another trip planned this past fall but he said his back hurt him too much to ride. His friendship was unshakeable. I’ll never forget the night we rode our bikes through a thunderstorm between Marfa and Alpine and I lost sight of him in the storm. An hour later I looked up, and here he came, running down the mountain in a downpour with lightning filling the sky in his wake. His nickname from that day forward was “Lightnin’ Fuller.” I will miss my friend greatly.”

McAllen-based Hari Namboodiri is president & CEO of Consult Sombrilla, Inc. Namboodiri said: “I am sorry to learn of the passing of Jake Fuller. He was a good friend and a great human being. As a lobbyist and promoter of all the good things that helped our South Texas community, Jake made a difference in the lives of people as well as organizations. He tried to attend as many community events as he could. His presence brought a beautiful smile, positive vibes and a brightened ambience at every event he attended. A man of integrity, passion and perseverance, Jake will be remembered forever in South Texas.”

Harlingen-based Rolando Vela is a former Time Warner Cable public affairs manager, a former Laguna Vista city manager, and current Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 general manager. Vela said: “Jake was my friend. I met him while I was working as a lobbyist for the cable company years ago. He truly cared about the Valley, and you knew where his heart was. He had an unshaken resolve when it came to health care and for doing what is right. I will definitely miss my friend, Jake Fuller.”

Dallas-based Hector M. Flores is a past national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Flores said: “Jake was a dear family friend in Dallas, Texas, and always south to improve the plight of the Mexican American community. Thank you for acknowledging his professional work for the downtrodden and disadvantaged communities. He will be missed.”

Dallas-based David Cruz is national communications director of LULAC. Cruz said: “Jake was always positive and willing to contribute to the betterment of his community by getting involved. He made friends easily by acknowledging the attributes and talents of others, rather than himself. A great guy and a wonderful spirit of a human being. I will miss him.”

Border Health Caucus

Dr. Manuel Acosta of El Paso is a former chairman of the Border Health Caucus. Acosta said Jake Fuller deserves a lot of credit for establishing the caucus as an important affiliate to the Texas Medical Association.

“Jake was a very friendly person, very thoughtful. Through the Border Health Caucus he helped us physicians organize ourselves. Over the years we were able to accomplish a lot of things and achieve many legislative victories, and Jake deserves a lot of the credit. He was a great companion and friend and I really enjoyed working with him,” Acosta said.

Asked why BHC was important, Acosta said: “It was important because the challenges associated with healthcare along the border were and still are unique. We worked really hard to correct those deficiencies and Jake was with us every step of the way.”

Another former chairman of BHC was Dr. Luis Benavides of Laredo. Like Acosta, Benavides is keen to acknowledge the impact of Jake Fuller.

“Jake was with the Border Health Caucus from the very beginning. Basically, he was the foundation of it. He was always gathering us, getting us together, not just physicians but legislators as well, organizing meetings where we would discuss and act on the important topics, even getting us together with our friends in Mexico. It was all about collaboration in order to improve the health of border region residents,” Benavides said.

Benavides said Fuller will be sorely missed by physicians up and down the Texas-Mexico border.

“Jake was well liked by everyone. He certainly made great relationships. And he kept them. Many he had from his childhood days when he lived along the border, and he brought those with him. He used these relationships to call attention to what the different problems were,” Benavides said.

“And another thing: Jake did a great job at balancing things. He knew we were not always going to get our way, especially in a legislative session. But many of the important wins we secured came about thanks to Jake and his hard work, especially things like tort reform that brought a significant improvement to access to care along the border.”

Asked about Fuller’s involvement in delaying the arrival of managed care in the South Texas region, Benavides said: “Jake was instrumental in getting the legislature to impose a moratorium. That was important because it allowed us to get ready for the changes that were going to occur. It afforded us the opportunity to see those systems tested elsewhere in the state. We saw some of the pitfalls within the system as it was initially being implemented and it allowed the state to improve the system prior to its implementation in South Texas.”

Benavides added: “Somehow we are going to have to try and continue Jake’s legacy of calling attention to the unique challenges we face as healthcare professionals working on the Texas-Mexico border.”

Obituary

Jake Fuller’s family has posted this obituary:

Jacob Creth “Jake” Fuller, 83, of McAllen, Texas, passed away on March 20, 2024. He was born on December 27, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York.
During Jake’s childhood, his father worked for the FBI and his family moved to many places throughout the US, including San Juan, Puerto Rico, McAllen, Texas and San Francisco, California.
He graduated High School in 1959 at Abraham Lincoln High School, in San Francisco. Jake went to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.
He had a successful career in Public Relations from 1964 to 1980, working for various firms in the Dallas Metroplex, including Titche’s, Fairchild Publications of New York, Kim Ross, Writer for Both Women’s Wear Daily and Men’s Wear Magazines. In 1980, he opened his consulting business, Starcom Consultants INC., first consulting in PR with Companies such as Dallas Area Rapid Transit, among others. Later transitioning to Lobbying, and moving to McAllen, Texas where he dedicated his Lobbying Interests in Health Care, Bail Bonds, among many various other issues until his death.
He is survived by his Longtime Companion, Luisa Fuller, Son, Jay Fuller, Daughter, Julie Fuller, (Eric Huntley), Brent Fuller (Michelle Fuller), Stepson Enrique Cardenas (Fiancee Katie Bechert)
Grandson Bladen Fuller, (Fiancee Parker Geers), and Jaden Fuller Sister-in-Law, Linda Fuller
Jake was preceded in Death by his parents, Jacob L. Fuller and Janet M. Fuller As well as his brother, James H. Fuller.
Jake loved riding his Harley Davidson Trike Motorcycle, watching movies, especially old Westerns, reading political thrillers, and engaging in political discussions, especially as it relates to his work on the border.
He was an active member of McAllen First United Methodist Church.
A Memorial Service will be held at McAllen First United Methodist Church on October 12, 2024 at 11 AM. There will be a graveside service at Rosemound cemetery in Commerce, Texas on October 13th, at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, Contributions can be made to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), McAllen First United Methodist Church, and/or First Presbyterian Church, Commerce.
Kreidler Funeral Home is assisting us with the Cremation and Obituary.

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