Steven Suchomel

On January 30, 1953, a future farmer, rancher, cow man, trucker and ranch manager was born to Tony Suchomel and Ann (Jansky) Suchomel in Taylor, Texas. Steven Michael Suchomel was a 4-pound premature baby boy who grew to be the best kind of farm hand, working beside his dad and learning the farm and ranch work ethic. Steven attended Coupland School through the 8 ^th grade and graduated from Taylor High School in 1971, where he excelled in the Future Farmers of America under the direction of mentor and good friend, Emerson Brister. He was a recipient of the American Farmer Award in 1974 and received his degree in General Agriculture from Tarleton State University in 1975. He then began his career in ranch management and continued to nurture his love for Hereford cattle.

On March 8, 1986, Steven married Tanya Swope in Youngsport, Texas and they began their lives together on the family farm in Coupland. Together they raised their four sons, and Steven passed the ranching and farming work ethic of his youth to his sons.  All four sons continue to be involved in some form of agriculture in their adult lives, carrying on the Suchomel legacy. Due to the ups and downs of the farm and ranch economies, Steven was always willing to seek other jobs outside of the agriculture fields he loved. He enjoyed opening the U-Should Stop-N Grill in Coupland and missed it the most after it closed.

Steven was the secretary/treasurer for the Capital Area Hereford Association and held that position for many years until the organization disbanded. During his tenure, he organized their annual bull sale in Gonzales, Texas. Steven became an expert at researching and matching pedigrees in the Hereford cattle breed. This skill and talent continued to be his passion when declining health forced him to be less hands-on with his livestock. He spent countless hours researching pedigrees and genetics. Eventually semi-trucks were added to his operation and 4S Cattle Company was formed.

Steven’s greatest lifetime achievement was earning the name “PawPaw” to his 10 grandchildren. Each of them was an integral and much-loved part of his life. He delighted in their accomplishments and over-night stays with him and TaTa. He spared no expense for the simple things that delighted them; from candy, ice cream, and Big Red sodas to fishing lures, minnows, and worms.

Steven was a member of the Elgin Church of Christ for 35 years. He entered into his eternal rest on May 15, 2021, following a sudden and unexpected illness and was blessed with 68 years of life. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, and his father-in-law, Abe Swope, Jr.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Tanya of Coupland; four sons, Tony Suchomel (Kristi) of Burnet, Lance Suchomel (Lori) of Thorndale, Matthew Suchomel (Hollie) of Taylor and Wesley Suchomel (Ashlee) of Thorndale; 10 grandchildren, Luke, Charlie, Graceann, Elizabeth, Addison, Scarlett, Karter, Carson, Weston, and Ashlynn; his sister Cathy Kostroun (August) of Georgetown; his mother-in-law Weltha Atkins of Coupland; sisters-in-law Jackie Oslick (Gary) of Thorndale and Mary Jane Swope of Florence; four nephews and two nieces and a host of aunts, cousins, great nephews and nieces, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials for youth helped and inspired by the:

Texas Hereford Association Foundation, Inc.

4609 Airport Freeway

Ft. Worth, TX 76117

OR the charity of one’s choice.