St. Thomas is saddened to share the passing of its acclaimed Sports Hall of Famer Joseph Haller Wellborn ‘62. He died January 12 at his home in Bellville at the age of 77.

The two-sport scholar-athlete and football team captain was an all-Southwest Conference linebacker in 1965 for Gene Stallings at Texas A&M University and the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Aggie Heart Award, presented to a senior who displays desire, determination, competitiveness, and leadership.

The following year as a rookie center for the New York Giants, Wellborn became the first Eagle to play in the National Football League.

Wellborn’s significant professional career began with Exxon where he laid the bedrock for distinguished entrepreneurial achievement that included founding Wellborn Petroleum and the Wellborn Tire Company that successfully expanded its Houston operation to four locations in South Central Texas.

Wellborn was a prominent supporter of Texas A&M Athletics as an active member of the Lettermen’s Association and a 12th Man Foundation Endowed Donor. In 2013, he was inducted in the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame.

In his later life in Bellville, Wellborn contributed to the Lions Club, as well as St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Catholic. Basilian. Teaching Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge since 1900.