About Us



Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association Board of Directors approved the filing of Articles of Incorporation and were adopted 22 March 1951. Secretary of State approved the Articles of Incorporation of the Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association on 9 April 1951.

Purpose of the Organization in original Articles of Incorporation:

…is formed to promote generally the welfare of the livestock industry in the State of Texas and in the United States, and particularly in the territory generally known as the Hill Country in and around Llano County, Texas, for the purpose of mutual protection of its members, and to cultivate a more fraternal feeling among livestock men generally in the State of Texas and the United States of America.


Founding Directors:


  • Hudson Fowler
  • D.P. Smith
  • Earl Edwards was not a Founding Director but everyone has included him in this elite group
  • Alex Hardin
  • T.J. Moore
  • M.J. Stewart Jr
  • C.E. Osbourn
  • Eric Slator
  • Carlos C. Ashley
  • Neal Wood
  • John L. Pearson
  • Elmer R. Smith
  • Ray Smith
  • Aaron Rode
  • John Dodgen
  • Luke Moss
  • J.L. Henick
  • Ben Behrns
  • H.J. Hoerster
  • Roy W. Kothmann

Purpose of the Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association: In a letter dated 1977 -

It is an association of ranchers who banded together decades ago to serve the needs of ranchers and landowners in our area. Our first By-laws were adopted 22 March 1951.

In 1977 it was asked Why the longevity of the Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association?

Reply by Past HCLRA President:

Because it is a working association that is in place, active and one which can render a (n) effective voice on any immediate or long term need that could involve the majority of our membership on a local, regional, state or national basis.



The Founding Members of HCLRA:


  • Hudson Fowler
  • D.P. Smith
  • Alex Hardin
  • T.J. Moore
  • M.J. Stewart Jr
  • C.E. Osbourn
  • Eric Slator
  • Neal Wood
  • John L. Pearson
  • Elmer R. Smith
  • Ray Smith
  • Aaron Rode
  • John Dodgen
  • Carlos C. Ashley
  • Luke Moss
  • J.L. Henick
  • Ben Behrns
  • H.J. Hoerster
  • Roy W. Kothmann

Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association Past Presidents


  • James Reeves
  • Alex Hardin
  • Jim Moss Inks
  • Bart Gillan
  • TJ.Moore
  • Marvin Elliot
  • Leroy Rode
  • D.P. Smith
  • James Epperson
  • Bill Swope
  • Eric Slator
  • J.P.Dodgen
  • Robert Cowan
  • Clayton Stribling
  • Jim Cone
  • Cecil Cone
  • Frosty Miller
  • Rodney Taylor
  • Luke Moss
  • Earl Edwards Jr.
  • Dexter Sagebiel
  • Larkin Renick
  • Kenneth Brandenberger
  • Bill Stewart
  • John Dodgen
  • John Kuykendall
  • Johnny Sawyer
  • Jack Love
  • Phil Wagner
  • Gordon Eckert
  • Jim Foster
  • Hudson Fowler
  • David Willmann
  • Hatch Smith
  • Phillip Smith
  • Dr. Dan Hoerster
  • Stanley Keese
  • H.T. Harrison
  • Charles Birk
  • Robert Cowan
  • Gordon Donop
  • Donald Jordan
  • Scott Dudley
  • Sherman Long
  • Walter Milliorn
  • Chuck Dalchau
  • Jim Renick
  • Richard Rabb
  • Josh Rode
  • James Grote
  • Bill Edwards
  • Joe Freeman
  • Walter Franklin
  • Brad Bradley
  • Scott Dudley
  • Les Hartman

Past Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association Cowboy of The Year


  • Gary Parsons
  • Lee Roberts
  • Donald McCall
  • Flay Bird
  • Hurlan Allen
  • Vann Maddox
  • A C McDougall
  • Walker Bauer
  • Way Willis
  • John Avery
  • Tolbert Harlan
  • Leland Hallmark
  • Allie Ratliff
  • W L Bauman
  • James Grote
  • Owen Hyatt
  • Alex Hardin
  • Robert Oestreich
  • Charlie Phillips
  • Leroy Rode
  • Buddy Crownover
  • James Feuge
  • Bill Gibson
  • Oliver Welgehausen
  • Benno Eckert
  • James Epperson
  • Norman Grenwelge
  • Andrew Rode
  • Olvis Osbourn
  • Darrell Templeton
  • Dayton Leifeste
  • Kennth Smarr
  • Sam Rabb
  • Leland Kiker
  • John Kuyendall
  • Jim Moore
  • Gary Larremore
  • Jimmy Don Gray
  • Jimmy Simpsom
  • Robert Broyles
  • August Otto Junior
  • Wayne Homesley
  • Jimmy Decker
  • George Birk
  • Marcio Montoya

Current Board of Directors


  • Don Paul Freeman - President
  • Butch Bradley - Vice President
  • Gayle Jordan - Secretary
  • Debbie Rabb - Treasurer
  • Robert Cowan
  • Scott Dudley
  • Joe Freeman
  • Dennis Raesener
  • Jim Foster
  • Jimmy Decker
  • Lonnie Seipp
  • Sam Oatman
  • Larry Sawyer
  • Nathan Dudley, DVM
  • Hatch Cummings Smith
  • Lance Franklin
  • Cody Bridges
  • Brett Whitson
  • Charles Eckel

Contact Us


Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association
PO Box 292
Llano, Texas 78643

Don Paul Freeman
210-288-6860
donpfreeman@aol.com
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