JOHN E. DEIBEL, Chairman Emeritus

John Eyman Deibel is the Chairman of the Board of Deibel Companies, Inc., a Texas Corporation engaged in real estate investment, development, residential and multi-family construction and property management.

Their activities are primarily in East Texas with headquarters in Tyler. Founded in 1982 the company grew out of Mr. Deibel’s 50 year business association and close friendship with Dallas developer, the late J. Lindsay Embrey. Beginning as a construction trainee in 1962, Deibel became a partner of Embrey during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. During that time among other activities they developed subdivisions, owned and operated an historic hotel, The Spanish Trace Inn, in Athens Texas, constructed and owned apartment properties in Athens, Jacksonville, and Tyler, Texas. A Deibel Companies subsidiary, Continental Property Company manages all of their interests on behalf of both families.

Mr. Deibel was born February 7, 1928 in Washington, PA. He is the son of the late William A. and Margaret Eyman Deibel. He is the grandson of Frederick and Emma Meyer Deibel and John H. and Flora Hays Eyman. After the untimely death of his mother in 1929 John was raised by an aunt and uncle in St. Louis, MO until his father re-married in 1934. He was educated in St. Louis and graduated from Kirkwood High School. He entered the Navy in 1945 and returned to duty in 1951 during the Korean War. He was an undergraduate student at Washington University from 1948 until his return to the military.

From 1954-62 Deibel was employed by Huttig Sash and Door Co. a St. Louis millwork jobber and manufacturer with branches throughout the south and southeast. He was their employee of the year in 1957. He had been transferred to Huttig’s Dallas branch in 1955, the same year that he married the love of his life Dolores M. Dolly Mercadal. The Deibels have 4 sons, 3 of whom are in real estate related businesses. Their oldest son is in the oil and gas industry.

Throughout his career Mr. Deibel has been active in business, civic and church affairs. Besides his own companies board of directors he has served on 6 other boards including Allied Texas Bank which was acquired by Wells Fargo Bank. He served as chairman of both the City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission and The Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was a founding director of the Tyler Catholic School Foundation as well as a Eucharistic Minister. Finally, as an avid sportsman and golfer, he is proud of being a 3 time director of Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler where he served as its president.

Mr. Deibel is looking forward to becoming Chairman Emeritus of his company in early 2014.