Sealy fire chief honored after untimely death

SEALY, Texas – Sealy Fire Chief Eric Zapalac died last week after suffering a heart attack, according to his wife. He was 39.

Zapalac was a Sealy native and lifelong resident.

He joined the town’s fire department just after graduating from high school, where he served for 21 years until his Nov. 20 death. He was also a member of the Houston Fire Department, where he served for more than 16 years. At the time of his death, he was serving as an engineer operator at Station 22.

Zapalac is survived by his wife of 16 years and his two children.

A funeral and procession with full honors began at 11 a.m. Monday at the west campus of Second Baptist Church on Katy Freeway.