Emil George Ryba

Emil George Ryba, Jr, known to many as Sonny, passed away on January 31, 2024 in Houston, Tx.  The first of four children, he was born to Lillie and Emil Ryba, Sr on October 10, 1950.

Sonny was loved and cared for by Karen, his wife of 43 years. He was the father of two children: son Matthew Ryba of Houston, and daughter Jennifer Steil of Port Neches.  He was Pawpaw to six grandchildren: Emillie Ryba, Eric Steil, Cameron Steil, Douglas Ryba, Isabella Steil, and Catherine Steil; and by Jennifer’s husband, Branden Parker, he was step-grandfather to David and Caleb Parker.  Among his survivors are his brothers Roger Ryba (Barbara Ryba) of Weimar, and David Ryba (Donna Ryba) of Livingston, as well as his sister Linda Crabtree (Kent Crabtree) of Odessa.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillie and Emil Sr, daughter-in-law Kristie Ryba, nephews Nathan Mazoch, Blake Ryba, and niece Samantha Canady.

While he spent some time working on offshore rigs and driving 18-wheelers as an OTR truck driver, Emil was a heavy equipment operator for a majority of his working life.  Most notably, he worked for Brown & Root for many years where his co-workers knew him as Sonny.  They also knew him as a good man, a great guy, a hard worker, and a damn good operator.

There will be a gathering at Hubbard Funeral Home Thursday, Feb 8th from 6 to 8 pm.  Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb 9th at the First United Methodist Church in Weimar, with viewing at 10 am and funeral to start at 11 am.  Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia, Texas, with a reception at the American Legion Hall in Flatonia following graveside services.

Pallbearers are:  Larry Herbrich, Billy Herbrich, Patrick Sainz, Eric Steil, Cameron Steil and Douglas Ryba.

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