The foreman of our family ranch, Stephen Holub, passed away recently and there was a really nice write up on him in the Mineral Well newspaper (which I've posted below).

As a kid, I grew up in Houston but often spent many sweltering hot summer days in Gordon on the ranch with my grandparents.   Mr. Holub was always around and very much a comical but confident voice of authority. 

One particular summer, I had the chance to help harvest and haul hay from one of the many coastal fields on the property.  (My folks dropping me off and taking a much needed vacation from my sister and I).  I remember feeling like a foolish city slicker "working" among my grandfather, Al Weidner, Mr. Holub and his son.  Grasshoppers the size of house cats freaking me out and old Ford pick-ups, loaded two stories high with hay, groaning their way up treachoursly narrow farm road hills.  Memories that stick with me even to this day.  After my sister graduated high school, and while I was at one of the many universities I "attended," my folks moved up to Gordon to help take care of my aging grandparents and get the heck out of Houston. 

Over the years, while I spent less time around Steve he was always a "voice" in my life.  How you ask?  The ranch radio, which sat in my father's office, gave a 24/7 channel into the workings of the ranch and that ranch was Steve Holub.  The "chatter" from Steve and his wife as they toiled away mending fences, rounding up cattle, and discussing what was for dinner were always interesting and entertaining to me.  I was eavesdropping into another world.  A world I was surrounded by but new little about.  This was the soundtrack to life on the C.B. Long Ranch and Steve's voice was the main instrument.

Funny.  Honest.  Hard Working.  Dedicated.  Stephen Holub was all these things and more.  He was was one of the last great American cowboys and will truly be missed.

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GORDON, TEXAS

Stephen J. Holub, 87, of Gordon, died Thursday, July 31, 2008, peacefully at his home.

Service is 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4, in the Dodson Prairie School House, with burial in Dodson Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Strawn. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Steve was born Sept. 15, 1920, in Dodson Prairie Community to Joe and Annie (Nowak) Holub. He went to school in Lake Creek School House and was drafted into U.S. Air Force. During World War II he was stationed in CBI, China, Burma, and India. He always told stories of flying “The Hump.” After his tour of duty he attended Ranger College. Steve married Alma Ruth Parsons on Nov. 27, 1947, in Strawn, Texas.

Steve began his ranching life first on the Hinkson Ranch for a few years, then he moved to Gordon where he worked on the C.B. Long Ranch for the next 60 years and a was foreman for the last 50 years. Steve was a 70-year member of the Herman Sons Lodge No. 224 and served as president for over 40 years. He was a hard worker, avid hunter and a very big family man, very proud husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Steve is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alma Ruth Holub, of Gordon; a daughter, Mary Martin and her husband, Jack, of Lake Palo Pinto; a son, Stephen Holub Jr, and wife, Gail, of Gordon; granddaughters, Vicki Lewallen and husband, Bobby, Mindy Scrivner and husband, Justin, and Taryn Holub; Great-grandchildren, Valton, Madison and Preston Lewallen and Brody Scrivner; a sister, Betty Ann Lewis and husband, Harold, of Desdemona; and many nieces, nephews and loving friends and extended family.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Annie Holub.

The family request memorials be made to the Gordon Fire Department and Ambulance Fund in Gordon, Texas.

CLICK HERE to read the original Mineral Wells newspaper article.

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