Frank H. Diebel Jr.

Frank was born May 10, 1922 in Victoria, Tx to Frank Henry Diebel, Sr. and Lula (Smith) Diebel. Frank and his sister Mary Louise (Diebel) Black spent their early childhood years in Houston, Tx and then later moved to Victoria. Frank graduated from Patti Welder High School where he played basketball and was a member of the Stingarees 1939 Regional Championship Football Team. He attended Victoria Jr. College. He served in the Army during WWII as a Staff Sgt. in the Signal Corps. And was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon returning, he worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Victoria. In 1950 he became a Gulf Oil Distributor that eventually became Diebel Oil Co. Inc. in 1980. He married the love of his life Sammye Claire (Tisdale) Diebel on August 26, 1949 in Port Lavaca.

Frank was an avid golfer. He loved traveling and working in the yard. His quick wit and deep chuckle made him many friends. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and elected Elder, a founding member of Hatch Bend Country Club, VFW Post 4403, and was instrumental in organizing Little League Baseball in Port Lavaca and served as its first President. He served on the Memorial Medical Center Hospital Board, First National Bank Board, President of Calhoun-Victoria Foreign Trade Zone, and Calhoun County Navigation District as chairman and commissioner. He was a 60-yr. member of the Rotary Club and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sammye Claire (Tisdale) Diebel; his children and spouses, Susan Diebel, Sam and Nancy Diebel, and Sarah and Dan Krueger. His grandchildren and their spouses are Jason Krueger (Courtney); Kyle Krueger; Faye Davis (Danny); Frank Hahn Diebel (Andrea). His great-grandchildren are Keileigh and Connor Krueger, Liesl and Lillian Davis, and Emma and Ellie Diebel. Also surviving are sister-in-law, Olivia Cragin; brother-in-law, Samuel Tisdale; cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister Mary Louise Black; his half brother John A Terrell; and his loving uncle and aunts. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 27, at First Presbyterian Church – Port Lavaca followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 10:30 officiated by Pastor Chuck Kimball. Interment will follow at the Port Lavaca Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice of South Texas, or charity of choice.

The family would like to thank all of his loving caregivers, nurses, and doctors.

Pallbearers will be Jason Krueger, Kyle Krueger, Frank Hahn Diebel, Danny Davis, Dennard Gilpin, and Stan Junek. Honorary Pallbearers are the Port Lavaca Rotary Club.