Roll Call Tribute

Ervan Eugene Zouzalik

September 24, 1936 - November 4, 2022

Ervan Zouzalik, class of 1959, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022 and went to his heavenly home at the age of 86.

Ervan was born in Flatonia, Texas on September 24, 1936. He was a 1955 graduate of Flatonia High School where he met the love of his life, Jeanette Zapalac. They were married on July 1, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia.

Colonel Zouzalik was a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M University receiving Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Industrial Education and Journalism in 1960. He completed his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin in 1969.

He served as a Platoon Leader in Germany, a Company Commander in Vietnam, a Battalion Commander with the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, and a Brigade Commander with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Colonel Zouzalik also served three years at the Pentagon and three years with the Defense Logistics Agency in the Washington D.C. area. His last assignment was as Commander of the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Included in his military schooling were the Artillery Officer Basic Course, Command and General Staff College, and the U. S. Army War College. He retired in May 1984, following 24 years of active duty.

Colonel Zouzalik's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Award, Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Air Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Palm, and the Vietnam Service Medal. In 2015, he was inducted into the Army’s Quartermaster Corps Hall of Fame, at Fort Lee, Virginia.

After a notable military career, Ervan and Jeanette owned and operated the family business, The Palace Motel, in Flatonia, Texas. Ervan worked a short time at the Flatonia Livestock Commission, before starting his 26 year banking career as a Flatonia State Bank director. In 1988, Ervan became Vice Chairman of the Board, for Flatonia State Bank. In 1993, Ervan began his role as President/CEO of South Central Texas Bancshares, and in 1997 served as President/CEO of Central Texas Bank. In 1998, he became Chairman of Texas United Bancshares via a merger of three banks with 43 branches. After a final merger, he served on the Prosperity Bancshares Board for another 7 years growing to 215 bank branches.

He was an industry leader as Past President of South Central Texas Bankers Association (SCTAB), Director at The Texas Independent BankersBank (TIB), Chairman of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), and participant in the People to People Program with bankers traveling to Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Poland in 1995-96.

Ervan was also an active member of the Flatonia community. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, president of the Sacred Heart Cemetery Association, and a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was president of the Rotary Club, a member of the American Legion, and president of the Chamber of Commerce. He started the Veteran Museum in Flatonia as part of the E.A Arnim Archives and Museum, of which Ervan was a catalyst and founding member.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jeanette, and their children and spouses: Michael (Kingsland), John (class of 1981) and spouse Laura (Flatonia), Greg (Class of 1984) and spouse Russell Wright (San Antonio), Brenda Novinski (class of 1985) and spouse Greg Novinski (class of 1986) (Irving), and Elizabeth Smith and spouse Patrick Smith (College Park, Maryland). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Gretchen Zapalac (Flatonia) and sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Victor Tichacek (East Bernard). Ervan has been blessed with 14 grandchildren (two Aggies: David Novinski - class of 2016 and Annie Novinski - class of 2023) and 7 great-grandchildren who made frequent visits from near and far to see their beloved Grandpa.

Ervan is preceded in death by his parents Edward (Eddie) and Julia Zurovec Zouzalik (Flatonia), step-mother Laura Homuth Zouzalik (Flatonia/Smithville), brother and sister-in-law Vic (class of 1952) and Dorothy Zouzalik (Lubbock), in-laws R. D. and Ann Zapalac (Flatonia), and brother-in-law Edwin Zapalac (Flatonia).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the E. A. Arnim Archives and Museum, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or The American Legion Post 94 of Flatonia, Texas.

A funeral Mass, celebrating the Life of Ervan Zouzalik, was held Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia, Texas, followed by a graveside service at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.