< Previous18 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 FEATURE or ranches needed help, we’d go over to assist them. It was the neighborly thing to do. My brother and I were always with our daddy, so we naturally would saddle up and work with them.” Gerald and his brother John Lee Sullivan were partners in the family cattle business until about 30 years ago. They remained “the best of friends” until John died in December 2024, Gerald Sullivan said. Gerald, Susanne and their daughter Kel- ley Sullivan Georgiades are propelling cattle ranching forward together. Gerald, Susanne and Kelley sold their ranch in Crockett sev- eral years ago and they now co-own Santa Rosa Ranch in Navasota. Kelley and her husband, George Georgiades, own GKG Land & Cattle, also in Navasota. “Migrate, mutate or die” is Gerald Sullivan’s mantra for success in the ever-changing beef cattle industry, and moving the Sullivan ranching opera- tions off Galveston Island was necessary around 1978. “We had to move. We migrated, and we mutated,” he said. “We sold a successful seedstock cattle operation in 2021 where we produced bulls and females that upgrade a cow-calf operation The gene pools have changed. We produce Bran- gus cattle, which are 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. We need that Brahman blood in our coastal areas to thrive. Brahman blood is such that it is resistant to diseas- es that are common in the coastal areas. Brahmans will get out and forage when the English breeds don’t.” Thanks to artificial insemination and other advances in cattle ranching, his team is weaning calves that weigh from 600 to 700 pounds. “We are producing about twice as much out of the same cow,” he said. “God creat- ed cattle to feed the humans. And, frankly, there is nothing better than a good steak.” During holidays and school breaks, the entire Sullivan clan participates in working the cattle at Santa Rosa Ranch — youngest to oldest, boys and girls, men and wom- en. Even Gerald and Susanne’s 5-year-old grandson contributes by reading out the animals’ weight on the scales and the num- bers on their ear tags. pHOTOS: COUrTESY THE BrYAN MUSEUM (From top) The Coastal Cowboys exhibit at The Bryan Museum in Galveston; Jim Hodges and Smokey Culver from George Ranch with coastal ranching brands.CYNTHIACORDER WHEN THEY SEE ME THEY SEE YOUR PROPERTY 409.795.1269 CALL OR TEXT REALTOR® | TV HOST “I see you EVERYWHERE” 3811 NEPTUNE, GALVESTON, TX 77554 5 BR | 4.5 BA | 2,960 SQFT | $1,425,000 BEACHSIDE VILLAGE Steps from the beach, this coastal retreat offers breathtaking Gulf views, soaring ceilings and gorgeous interior. The open-concept design leads to multiple balconies, perfect for enjoying sunrises, sunsets and ocean breeze. A chef’s kitchen features quartz countertops, premium Bosch appliances, a designer backsplash, a walk-in pantry, and an oversized island. The primary suite is a true sanctuary with a private balcony, spa-like bath, and custom walk-in closet. Spacious guest rooms, each with ensuite baths, ensure comfort, while a flexible bonus space suits any need. A large utility room with built-in storage, a beverage fridge, and a washer/dryer adds convenience. An elevator shaft, covered patios, and direct beach access complete this exceptional coastal escape. www.TheCorderTeam.com20 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 FEATURE “I’ve had my time in the barrel, and now it’s someone else’s turn,” Gerald Sullivan said, adding he’s extremely proud of Kelley. Abbott recently appointed Kelley Sullivan Georgiades to the Texas A&M University Board of Regents. Sullivan Georgiades is recognized as an accomplished business executive and cattleman, a word she chooses to describe herself. She has testified before Congress on behalf of the U.S. cattle industry and has traveled extensively around the world promoting U.S. beef and agricultural interests. “While agriculture seems to be a male-dom- inated industry, there are many operations run by women along with their husbands, fathers, grandfathers and brothers,” Sullivan Georgiades said. “In fact, some of the largest ranching operations are run by women. This industry is very family-centric, and it takes everyone working together, side by side, to produce the food for our world to consume.” Sullivan Georgiades enjoys seeing her nieces and nephews embracing the impor- tance of caring for livestock, she said. “I get everything set up for them at the ranch, and then I simply stand back and ob- serve,” she said. “They have their own system of communicating what needs to be done, and they get the cattle vaccinated and processed through the chute safely. It’s hard work, but there is always a reward. Beef for dinner.” pHOTOS: COUrTESY KELLEY SULLiVAN GEOrGiADES (Above) Galveston native Kelley Sullivan Georgiades is a fourth-generation rancher. She co-owns Santa Rosa Ranch and GKG Land & Cattle. (Top left) Gerald and Susanne Sullivan with their daughter Kelley Sullivan Georgiades and her husband, George Georgiades.409.206.5800 Jennifer Delaney 832.677.0025 jennifer.delaney@nanproperties.com @delaney_builds Anastasia Gaido 808.765.8765 anastasia.gaido@nanproperties.com @anastasiagaidorealestate Zuleima Cossio 409.877.3692 zuleima.cossio@nanproperties.com @zuleimacossio_realtor YOUR GALVESTON LUXURY EXPERTS 3128 Avenue L LISTED AT $899K 11418 Starfish LISTED AT $1.465M 10 Quintana Place LISTED AT $899K NANPROPERTIES.COM @nanproperties22 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 FEATURE ‘PART OF MY HERITAGE’ Dickinson rancher writes historical fiction about family and cowboys story by LAURA PENNINO photos by STUART VILLANUEVA E rnie Deats is a fourth-generation Dick- inson resident, cowboy, rancher and prolific writer. Deats, 85, stays mentally and physically active with a full schedule of writing, speaking and raising cattle. Earlier this year, Deats published “The Saloon Keeper’s Son,” his 15th book. This new self-published addition to Deats’ collec- tion of historical fiction novels and children’s books is set in the late 1800s in Dickinson. Deats tells the story of a runaway boy who shares his experi- ences along the way, which includes murder and kidnapping. The main character is based on Deats’ maternal great-grandfather, Ruben “Rube” Lyons, who owned and operated a saloon both in the book and in real life. “Ranching has been bred into me,” Deats said. “First was my great-grandfather, then my grandfather, then my daddy, and now me.” His paternal great-grandfather, W.S. Deats, moved to Galveston from Alabama in the 1870s. Although his great-grandfather Deats prospered as an architect and builder on Galveston Island, he decided to sell his business and buy property along Dickinson Bayou. “I had three cows and that helped to put me through college,” Ernie Deats said. “After college, I taught school and coached for four years. I quit coach- ing in 1967. I took my teacher’s retirement check and bought five head of cattle to expand my herd.” Eventually, he leased 3,000 acres around Dickinson and ran about 300 head of cattle on that land, he said. “When you get old, you quit trying to be so big, and you just handle what you can yourself,” Deats said. Deats these days is raising a herd of 50 crossbred cattle with Charolais blood lines at his cow-calf operation in Dickinson where he also grows Jiggs COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 2324 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 FEATURE grass that is cut, baled and sold as hay. Crossbreeding is an approach that combines the best traits of different breeds to improve the effi- ciency and productivity of the herd. Jiggs grass is a hybrid variety of Bermuda grass that grows well on the Texas coast. Deats sells his hay to local farms, ranches and “horse people.” “It is great horse hay,” Deats said. “The word spreads and people are lined up in their trailers. It looks like we are giving away free food.” Deats typically can get four to five cuttings that yield about 60 round bales and about 500 square bales each year, he said. “I love cattle, and all my life, I have had horses,” he said. “I love to cowboy. That was part of growing up. I love ranching. It is part of my heritage, but I suspect ranching in my family might die when I die.” All of Deats’ books are focused in some way on “ranching and cowboying.” His latest book is available for $20 per copy and can be found at the Dickinson Historical Society and Keyworth’s Hardware in Dickinson. All proceeds benefit The Dickinson Education Foundation. Ernie Deats has scaled back his ranching operation as he has gotten older. He’s raising a herd of 50 crossbred cattle with Charolais blood lines at his cow- calf operation in Dickinson.26 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 COVER CONFIDENTIAL A TALE OF TWO TRUE TEXANS C oast Monthly guest creative designer Mateo Sifuentes was inspired by Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, char- acters from the wildly popular TV show “Yellowstone,” when he envisioned and styled our stunning coastal cowboy beach scene. Although the TV characters have a tumultuous romance that spans decades, our Coast Monthly models Ire- land Banner and Cody Gaspard had never met before the photo shoot. We catch up with the locals who love Texas, horses and coastal living. photos by STUART VILLANUEVA COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 27 ireland Banner and Cody Gaspard pose on the beach with Kimber, an American paint Horse from Galveston island Horse & pony rides. For the April issue, guest creative designer Mateo Sifuentes took inspiration from characters Beth Dutton and rip Wheeler in the TV show “Yellowstone.” (Opposite) Banner and Gaspard ride horses along the beach.Next >