Earl Steve Sebesta, 92, of College Station, Texas, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
Earl was born June 21, 1931, to Delphine and Olga Martinka Sebesta on the family farm near Snook, Texas.
Earl attended Snook schools and graduated from Snook High School.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957.
Since childhood, Earl had a passion for raising cattle, and was blessed with a keen sense of recollection and near photographic memory.
He also had an uncanny ability with numbers and math. This served him well when he began his career as a cattle buyer and feedlot owner, which he started as a young man. His math acumen allowed him to quickly and accurately calculate cattle trades and later served him well in the banking industry and throughout his life.
Recognizing a need for community banking in Snook, Earl and a group of area businessmen organized and established the First Bank of Snook in 1976. Under Earl’s leadership and that of the board, the bank prospered. Many clients were well-served and the community flourished as a result of the bank Earl helped found and lead for over 30 years. Earl was a charter member of the Snook Lion’s Club. Believing in giving back, he supported many philanthropic causes including the Snook Volunteer Fire Department, the Snook Lion’s Club and various other charities. He was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church of Bryan.
In 1984, Earl married the love of his life, Frankie Sabrsula Joyce. The two made many happy memories in Snook, Bryan, and later in College Station. Earl was proud of his four stepsons Jeff, Glenn, Jimmy, and J.D.
Earl was preceded in death by his mother and father, Olga and Delphine; and by his sister, Gloria Mae.
He is survived by his wife, Frankie; stepsons, Jeff and his wife, Toy, of Houston, Glenn and his wife, Angie, of Hilltop Lakes, Jimmy and his wife, Erica, of Royce City, and J.D. and his wife, Robyn, of Houston. Papa Earl will be missed by his nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Wednesday, August 16, 2023, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, at 3001 S. College Ave., Bryan.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023. The interment will take place at the Snook Cemetery, on F.M. 2155 (Southeast of Snook), at 9:00 a.m.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Bryan, 3100 Cambridge Drive, at 11:00 a.m.
The family would like to thank Hospice Brazos Valley for their diligence and care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice Brazos Valley, in Earl’s memory.
Arrangements by Callaway- Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers in Bryan, Texas.