WACO—The late Seab Washington of Motley County was recognized by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) as the TFB District 2 Pioneer Award winner at the organization’s 90th Annual Meeting Dec. 2 in Frisco.
Each year, 13 Texas farmers and ranchers and one retired professional staff member are honored with the TFB Pioneer Award. They are selected for their contributions to agriculture and the organization, both through service and leadership.
“ThemodernTexasFarm Bureau is a special organization,” TFB president Russell Boening said. “Ninety years ago, votes were taken, documents were signed, and there was a beginning. However,TexasFarmBureau was not so much formed. It was, in fact, built. Member by member, with time, sacrifice and commitment. We’re honoredtorecognizethelate Seab Washington as a member ofthe32ndclassofTexas Farm Bureau Pioneers.”
Washington passed away on May 31, 2023.
Washington was born into a farming and ranching family in Motley County, and he had continued that tradition with a lifelong commitment and devotion to agriculture. Washington wasaFarmBureaumember for over 50 years.
He served Motley County Farm Bureau many of those years as president and as a board member. Washington also served on the TFB State Resolutions Committee.
His farming and ranching operation included sheep, cattle, hogs, wheat, grain sorghum, hay, cotton, peanuts and onions. At one time, he and his wife Dianne even had a few emus, not as a commercial venture, but just because they were “fun to watch.”
Washington served on the local Farm Service Agency Committee and on the Motley County FFA Committee for over 20 years where he shared his knowledge and commitment with numerous young farmers and ranchers.
He was Fire Chief of the Flomot Volunteer Fire Department. He also obtained a Class D water license to enable him to aide his community in the operation of their water system.
Washington’s love of music, especially Bluegrass, led him and Dianne to organize a Bluegrass Festival for 12 years. His love of music also benefitted the Quitaque Methodist Church, where he served as its sound man until a diagnosis of cancer in 2020 left him unable to do so. His faith and resoluteness helped him to fight that diagnosis, and he had been so proud to have been able to return to serve his church on the Finance Committee and Administrative Council.
Washington attended school in Flomot and graduated from high school in just three years. He attended West Texas State University, where he majored in English and math. Upon graduation, he returned to Motley County, where he taught school in Flomot for three years before returning to farming full time.
He loved his family — wife, son and daughter-inlaw, fourgrandchildrenand four great-grandchildren. He will be forever admired and remembered for his work, service, dedication and loyalty to his family, his community, Motley County and to agriculture.
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