Frank Emil “Blue” Sliva of Bay City, Texas, passed away on March 14, 2026, at the age of 93. A lifelong farmer, devoted family man, and loyal friend, Frank lived a full and meaningful life rooted in faith, hard work, and community.

Frank was born on November 7, 1932, in Orchard, Texas, to Emil William Sliva and Annie Pisklak Sliva, the ninth of ten children. When he was two years old, his family moved to Bay City to farm with the Holub family. He attended Holy Cross Catholic School and graduated from Bay City High School in 1950. Soon after graduation, Frank served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he returned to Matagorda County and began farming rice alongside his brothers.

Farming wasn’t just Frank’s livelihood—it was his calling. Even in one of his final conversations, he imagined himself still farming, talking about “painting the tractor.” Over the years he was honored twice as Matagorda County’s Outstanding Rice Farmer of the Year and later recognized as Outstanding Soybean Farmer of the Year after branching into row crop farming. Even after retiring, Frank kept “farming” by tending a garden at his son Paul’s barn with the help of good friends and family who made sure he could keep doing what he loved. Some of his fondest memories were made while farming on the Wineglass Ranch — now farmed by Paul — and he truly loved “The Girls” and their family who own that ranch.

Frank was known as a hardworking man who expected the same from those around him. Many young men who spent their summers working for him in the Gulf Coast heat would say he was quite the taskmaster—and that he could outwork them, especially with a shovel while walking miles of rice field levees. He cared deeply for these young adults.

His Catholic faith was central to Frank’s life. The foundation for that devotion was laid by his parents. In fact, Frank’s father was one of two men who donated the land on which Holy Cross Catholic Church was built. Frank was a faithful parishioner and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Frank loved his family deeply and supported his children and grandchildren in all their many activities. Frank and his wife Barbara made an excellent team: Frank the farming talent and Barbara the steady business manager. Though Frank rarely liked taking time away from work, the family made treasured memories spending summers at Lake McQueeny with the Lowry, Quillin, Culbreth, Luedke, and Seidel families.

He was also a devoted son, faithfully stopping by his mother’s home every week after Sunday Mass to enjoy her fried chicken and baked goods. Proud of his Czech heritage, Frank never passed up poppyseed kolaches, a lively polka, or a cold beer shared with friends.

As a young father he played in adult bowling and softball leagues and enjoyed many rounds of golf with Monsignor Martin. He also loved coaching and umpiring Little League Baseball and spending afternoons playing dominoes with friends, first at the Matagorda County Co-Op and later at Independent Rice Dryers. He was also known as the Kiwanis Club’s “Pancake Supper King,” hauling equipment to his barn to clean and prepare for the long-running community event and working faithfully at the bacon fry station.

Frank found great joy outdoors. Fishing brought him many happy days, but hunting trips in South Texas were among his favorite pastimes. Those trips were less about the hunt and more about the fellowship with lifelong friends.

Frank was a man of integrity, generosity, and unwavering loyalty. He had a mischievous grin, a twinkle in his striking blue eyes, and a quiet contentment with the life he had been given. He truly enjoyed a good life.

Though he has gone to be with the Lord, those who loved him can easily imagine him still driving down a country road with the pickup truck window rolled down, a cigar dangling from his mouth, and a loyal dog riding in the back—perhaps remembering Gus, Bruno, and Bear.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Sylvester, Benjamin, Gilbert, infant Emil, Marie Robinson, Carmel Harrison, Gertrude King, and Anne Webber.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Barbara Broughton Sliva; daughters Allison Sliva (Mike Griffith) and Kristi Thibaut (Mark); and son Paul Sliva (Leanne). He also leaves behind grandchildren Cayce and Ethan Sliva and Christopher Thibaut, as well as two great-grandchildren, Jackie and Alex. He is further survived by his younger sister, Florence Saha, along with many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the compassionate caregivers at Angels Hospice and Loving Legacy LLC in Angleton for their kindness and care.

A memorial service will be held in a few weeks, with the date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Dementia Society, or the Bay City ISD Education Foundation.