Wayne Douglas Dierlam passed away on June 12, 2022. He died peacefully in his sleep due to complications from Amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder diagnosed earlier this year. Wayne was born March 17, 1942 in Six Mile, Calhoun County, Texas, to A.T. and Gladiola Hengst Dierlam. He married Evelyn Motal Dierlam in 1968 and they have three children, Bryan, Brad and Brandyn and 7 grandchildren.
Wayne was a farmer, rancher, small business owner, elected official, and community leader and volunteer. From the time he joined the U.S. Army in 1960 until his final days, Wayne lived his belief in serving your country, your community and your fellow citizens. Wayne’s list of involvement is long because he was never one to sit on the bench when something needed to be done. He often asked himself and others “If not you, who? If not now, when?” He let his own leadership prompt others to act.
Wayne served three years in the Army (1960-1963), with an extended posting in South Korea during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While on full alert prepared for imminent invasion from the North, he was aware of the forces arrayed against him on the other side of the fence. He always remained thankful to have returned safely. He often recounted his feeling of pride upon seeing the U.S. flag flying at the U.S. naval facility in Yokohama harbor during his return trip to the U.S. It strengthened his resolve and left him forever grateful to our country and the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Wayne began officiating basketball in the Army. He was a regular official on the High School basketball circuit in Victoria and surrounding areas in the 70’s and 80’s. One of his prized possessions is a signed picture of him with championship winning, former Victoria High School girls basketball coach, Jan Lahodny, proclaiming him her favorite referee.
As a rancher, Wayne was active in the beef industry and served in many capacities. He was an early member of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas and served as President of the Victoria County Crossroads Chapter on several occasions, just completing a final term. He also served as the association’s state president for several terms. These roles led him to Austin, Washington DC and Mexico where he advocated in support of issues important to ranchers. These leadership positions led to his appointment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, based on the recommendation of then-House Agriculture Chairman Kika de la Garza. In his position on the critical Operating Committee, Wayne worked with ranchers from across the U.S. to guide the cattle industry during challenging times.
Wayne also believed in public service. He was elected Victoria County Commissioner for Precinct 4 in 1998 and served for 12 years. As commissioner Wayne was pleased to have been involved with many issues important to the county including the improvement of roads and bridges, addressing the needs of Citizens Hospital, renovation of the historic courthouse, and responsibly managing taxpayer funds. He enjoyed county government because he believed local government makes the biggest difference. He believed that since it is as close to the constituents as an official can be, it holds them most accountable. Wayne loved campaigning for office and took pride in talking to voters and constituents. It was a point of pride for him to have more campaign signs than everyone else. When then-Governor George W. Bush came through Victoria during Wayne’s first campaign, he had to meet with “that Dierlam fella with all the signs”. Wayne liked to wave at voters at key, strategic street intersections. Unfortunately , there was only one Wayne. So in a move that surprised even his family, he had numerous life-sized cardboard cutouts made in his likeness, waving, that he placed all over town on election day!
His family started A.T. Dierlam Hay Feed and Ranch Service in 1969 and his immediate family continues to own and operate it. He could regularly be seen delivering liquid feed to his customers for whom he had great appreciation for their business and support. Wayne and his family were engaged in custom hay baling in Victoria and surrounding counties for many years. As a result, a drive through the countryside with Wayne was a lesson in which pastures had native prairie hay, coastal Bermuda or bluestem; which ones would get you stuck in dry sand; which ones are best suited for hay grazer, oats, ryegrass, or red top cane; and which barns would hold the most hay or had the worst ventilation, especially on hot, sultry, summer days.
Wayne was a go-getter who never sat still or let grass grow under his feet. At any moment he would be delivering feed and picking up auction items for one church event, while taking items to buyers from some other event, while also planning a cattlemen’s meeting, then calling everyone back to make sure they would be there.
Wayne’s presence in many lives and organizations will be missed.
Wayne had been a member of or was active in the following groups: Knights of Columbus, Warriors Weekend, Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post Commander, Catholic War Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Victoria Livestock Show, South Texas Farm and Ranch Show, Farm Bureau, and the Victoria Jaycees.
Wayne’s family wishes to thank the nursing staff at Twin Pines North for their care and the medical and nursing staff at Citizen’s Hospital.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David.
He is survived by his spouse, Evelyn Motal Dierlam; children, Bryan Dierlam (Christina) and Grandchildren, William and Emma, Brad Dierlam (Allison) and Grandchildren Carter and Ella, Brandyn Dierlam Sneed (Chad) and Grandchildren Micayla, William, and Truitt; Siblings, Mark (Virginia), Larry (Jackie), Stanley (Mendy), Margaret Anderson (Jimmy), Delores Dierlam Paluga; sister-in-law, Cathy Dierlam; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Chapel. A rosary will be recited Friday, June 17, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic followed by mass at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers are Bryan Dierlam, Brad Dierlam, Carter Dierlam, Chad Sneed, Clint Caville, and Kyle Motal.
Honorary Pallbearers are Gary Burns, Arnulfo Gonzales, John Hammack, Richard Jones, Gary Moses, Judge Donald Pozzi, Larry Stroud, Stetson Dierlam, Johnny Kusak, Members of the Victoria County Crossroads ICA, past and current employees of Dierlam Feed, and all of his relatives and family members who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, Wayne’s family would appreciate donations to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund,
P.O. Box 2448, Victoria, TX 77902, Online: https://stmvictoria.org/; or Community Action Committee of Victoria, P.O. Box 3607, Victoria, TX 77903-3607, Online: https://www.cacv.us/.
