Joe J. Sula, Jr.

Joseph Julius 'Papa' Sula Jr. passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023 just shy of his 96th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Doris (nee Kuhn), their three children Monte, Joan, and Ann (Tate), three granddaughters (Jennifer, Allison, and Meeja) and great-grandson, Elliot.

Joe was born on April 9th, 1927 on a small family farm in Plum, Texas to Joseph and Leona Sula. Thriving on his mom's virtuoso kolaches, Joe kept the rhythm of the family band on the drums. Upon moving to La Grange where his father served as the county surveyor, Joe took advantage of all the area had to offer, becoming an avid outdoorsman and athlete making an impression as a football, baseball, track and gymnastics athlete, including his Texas State record for chin ups. However, it was his gentle soul and head full of luscious curts that first captured the eye of the prettiest girl in school, Doris.

With dreams of his making something of himself, Joe headed to Texas A&M College to study engineering, while finding time to pole vault his way into the Pan American Games. However, his academic aspirations were sidetracked by World War II. Joe volunteered for the US Navy, but got called up and whisked away to several weeks of Army boot camp before the error was corrected. In the Navy, Joe served as a gunner on the SB2C Hell Diver, completing his training at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station just in time for the end of the war.

Even with his dashing looks, Joe still needed a job to win over his high school sweetheart. So, Joe found his way to Texas City and Union Carbide, where he would spend a 35-year career in safety, training, and employee relations, leading with kindness and gentleness that sealed the deal with Doris and made a friend of nearly every person who was lucky enough to cross his path. Setting up his new young family in a garage apartment in Texas City, Joe embarked on a life of service and fatherhood. Never hesitating to step up as a mentor to and model for others, Joe served as a little league baseball coach, Boy Scout merit badge counselor, and 32nd degree Mason. Joe still maintained his athletic prowess by playing baseball and softball, but he devoted the majority of his time to his wife and children.

Joe believed every task in life was best done with Doris. As such, he actively engaged in the raising of his children-hauling them out at 4 am to his favorite fishing spot in Galveston Bay; taking them camping: and supporting their athletic and scholastic endeavors. He cultivated in his children and grandchildren the joy of working with their hands. He loved sharing his passion for home repair, remodeling projects, and woodworking with his family and encouraged the women in his family to join him and get their hands dirty.

In retirement, Joe and Doris moved to Friendswood, TX where Joe thrived on his retirement hobbies of not charging neighbors enough for the repair work he did on their homes, and developing a 360 acre plot of land in central Texas with his brother-in-law Milton Elolf. On his ranch, he worked his cattle and connected with the land through an extensive garden he worked with Doris. He had a great fondness for wild and domesticated animals. More than once his family joined in the care and feeding of injured or stray animals he brought home.

In his later years, Joe enjoyed a close relationship with his two sons-in-law: William Tate and Earl Richards. Bill and Earl provided much appreciated companionship and support. Joe never took their care for granted.

Joe will be remembered for his gentleness, his lifetime devotion to service, and his undying commitment to family and friends. He will be cherished for all the quiet moments he spent supporting and encouraging his family, for his advocacy and mentorship, and for the tenderness and kindness for which he always treated Doris, the love of his life. For almost 75 years, he exemplified that everything in life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Sula family. Private services are being held for the family.