Desmond A. Sagebiel was born December 13, 1918, the sixth child of Alfred and Selma Sagebiel at their home in Eckert, Texas.  He attended the community school, Mt. Nebo School at Eckert, founded by his father.  At the age of 12, in 1931, he entered the ranching business with the acquisition of a heifer calf.  This began a lifetime love of ranching and farming.  Desmond married Maybeth Owen of Llano, in 1940.

Desmond, being a member of America's greatest generation, voluntarily relinquished his agricultural draft deferment in 1943, and joined The United States Navy, from which he was honorably discharged in 1946.

During his long career in agriculture, Desmond was the first to commercially develop and plant thousands of acres of Coastal Bermuda Grass across the Hill Country for other like-minded forage producers. His custom farming enterprise grew to include custom hay production, grass conservation, and livestock forage opportunities for other producers.    During his 63 years of farming and ranching, Desmond was the recipient of numerous awards for leadership, conservation, and awards for livestock quality.

Awards included:

• Fort Worth Star Telegram Conservationist of the Year in the State of Texas
• Outstanding Accomplishments in Resource Conversation from the Gillespie County SWCD – 1993
• Gillespie County Farm Bureau Pioneer Award  - 1997
• Pioneer in Agriculture from the Gillespie County SWCD – 2010
• Conservation Award from Good Year – 1987
• Outstanding Supervisor in SWCD #220, Bankers Committee of Soil Conservation Texas Bank and Trust Company of Dallas - 1961

Desmond donated many hours of his time and resources to benefit the citizens of Gillespie County, including:

• Founding member of the first Board of Trustees for Hill Country Memorial Hospital – 1960s to 1970s
• Founding member of the Hill Country Underground Water District
• Chairman of The Fredericksburg Band Boosters Turkey Dinner
• Chairman of the Board of First Methodist Church, where he was instrumental in the merger of First Methodist Church and Edison Street Methodist Church
• Thirty plus year tenure on the Gillespie County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors
• Founding member of the Willow City Volunteer Fire Department

Desmond remained active in many civic and agriculture related activities until his semi-retirement at the age of 94.

Desmond A. Sagebiel is survived by his family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom he was continuously committed, loving, loyal, and fair.

Desmond A Sagebiel is survived by his daughter, Barbara S. Rees and husband Warren L "Buddy" Rees, grandsons Desmond E. Rees and spouse Shannon, Robert J Rees, Roy C Sagebiel and spouse Lisa, Joe A Sagebiel and spouse Autumn, and daughter-in-law Regina Sagebiel and numerous great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maybeth Owen Sagebiel, son Derol Sagebiel, brothers Victor Sagebiel, Martin Sagebiel, and Walter Sagebiel sisters Cora Welgehausen and Therza Crenwelge.