For the right man, there’s no better opportunity and no better vocation to serve. And sometimes, it becomes a family affair, as it was for Doug Supak.
The Knights of Columbus were part of everyday life for Doug and his family. His son Tom says they “grew up as a Knights of Columbus family.”
Active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange, Texas, Doug was serving his parish and the Texas Knights of Columbus in many positions, including as the grand knight of Chromcik Council 2574.
According to Tom, Doug involved his family, especially his sons, at countless events.
“We would help him sweep the floors, set up chairs, cook stew and chili for council meetings. We would help out at Turkey Shoots and BBQ drive-thrus as well. We had a great time with the brother Knights and loved being around them,” Tom said.
It was during the time he served as a district deputy that Doug was approached by General Agent Terry O’Brien. O’Brien wanted to know if Doug was interested in becoming a Knights of Columbus field agent.
Doug Supak started as a field agent on Jan. 1, 1977. That year, his older son, Tom, was graduating high school and heading off to play college baseball at Pan American University. Jody, Doug’s second son, was in eighth grade.
Like all agents, Doug met regularly with Knights of Columbus families to make sure they knew their options in financially protecting their families.
One life insurance policy he sold was to a local rancher. Only two months later, the rancher passed away, leaving behind a large family. They were nearly forced to sell the ranch — but what saved the ranch was their Knights of Columbus insurance.
Thanks to Doug, that brother Knight’s legacy and his family’s future were secure. Thanks to Doug, a new generation of men were inspired to join the Knights, starting with his sons Tom and Jody.
Like his dad, Tom joined the agency at the invitation of O’Brien. It began a 15-year journey of Doug and Tom working together as field agents serving Knights and their families in Central Texas. During the time, Doug and Tom helped grow the Knights of Columbus. They started seven new councils in Central Texas, welcoming 250 new members.
“We feel we are carrying out what Father McGivney started,” Tom said.
In 1997, Tom was promoted to lead a newly created agency in Central Texas. That was when Tom encouraged Jody — who had gone off to the University of Houston to play baseball around the time Tom had started working with their dad — to join them in working for the Knights of Columbus.
As Tom worked to get the new agency off to a good start, he relied on his dad and brother, and fellow agents, to help deliver millions of dollars in benefits to Knights and their families. Their work as a family paid off — the Supak Agency has been consistently honored as one of top agencies throughout the Knight of Columbus.
“We had a good group of men taking care of our families. We helped many families plan for their future. We became even more dedicated to the Order’s Insurance Program and Father McGivney’s dream,” Tom said.
It’s been 23 years since Jody joined the trio of Supak agents. He continues to be a top producer for the Order, while Tom is in his 38th year as an agent.
Doug has retired with 42 years of dedicated service. He was inducted into the Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame in 2018 as a field agent.
“Working for the Order has been a great career for all of us,” Tom said. “Helping our members save money for retirement and delivering benefit checks to brother Knights’ families is rewarding work.”
Together, the Supak family has over 100 years of service to the Knights of Columbus.
As Tom says, “We have been blessed to work for such a great organization and are proud to represent the Order’s outstanding insurance programs.”
The Supak Agency serves Knights in Central Texas. Live in the area and have questions about insurance? Or have questions about a career with the Knights of Columbus? Call 979-968-9800 or email thomas.supak@kofc.org.
Please contact the
Knights of Columbus News Bureau
news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097