Homer Borgstedte

Homer Borgstedte: A Life of Dedication and Service

 Homer Borgstedte passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024, at the age of 89, with his beloved wife Joan by his side. He was born at home on February 4, 1935, in Washington, Texas, to Lillian and Fred Borgstedte. Homer attended Brown's Prairie School and graduated from Brenham High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically in football and track. He was a member of the Brenham High School Football Hall of Fame.

He went on to graduate from Rice Institute, attending on a football and track scholarship, and was a member of Weiss College. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1957. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Marie Martin. They enjoyed a beautiful life together, building a home, enjoying friends, and traveling extensively.

Homer dedicated his professional life to the insurance industry as an Independent Insurance Agent. He began selling insurance while at Rice, working for the William Cordes agency on Washington Avenue in Houston. He joined Norman Gaurke in Bellaire in 1961, where they formed Gaurke-Borgstedte Insurance, which later became GBS Insurance Agency Inc., as we know it today.

He was an esteemed member and president of several organizations, including the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce, Bellaire Rotary Club, The Independent Insurance Agents of Houston, the Board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, as well as the Rice R Club. He was also a member of the Mid America Technical Conference for many years. His leadership and commitment to his profession and community were exemplary.

In addition to his professional achievements, Homer served his country with honor in the Army Reserves as a medic.

Homer is survived by his devoted wife, Joan Marie Martin Borgstedte, his son Brent, daughter-in-law Leila, and their children Drew, Nicholas, and William and his wife Sarah. He is also survived by his brother Donald, sister-in-law Helen, and their children; brother-in-law Julian Martin and his wife Geneva; brother-in-law JB Bitner and his wife Patsy; ,brother-in-law Steve Johnston and wife, Linda; brother-in-law Donald Draehn; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Homer was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Henry Borgstedte and Lillian Anna Klara Krueger Borgstedte; sister-in-law Jeannie Draehn; and niece Megan Leigh Johnston.

Visitation will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham.

A funeral service will be held at Friedens Church, 20301 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, on Saturday, July 20, at 2 p.m. Homer will be laid to rest in a private interment ceremony surrounded by his loving family.

Pallbearers for the service will be Drew Borgstedte, Nicholas Borgstedte, William Borgstedte, Stephen Davis, Steven Borgstedte, Julian Martin, Robert Reed, and Russell Borgstedte. Honorary pallbearers will be Craig Wooten and Donald Borgstedte.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bellaire Southwest Houston Rotary Foundation Inc., PO Box 254, Bellaire, TX 77402-0254. These contributions will honor Homer's legacy of community service and dedication to helping others.