Brazos County commissioner Sammy Catalena has died.

The Brazos County native passed away at his home Tuesday morning at the age of 72.

A graduate of Stephen F. Austin high school in Bryan and a member of the Texas A&M class of 1972, Catalena was elected as precinct two county commissioner in 2010.

County judge Duane Peters met Catalena when they were attending SFA and A&M.

Catalena and Peters also became neighbors.

And Peters said their relationship became closer after Catalena replaced Peters as precinct two commissioner.

Catalena's business interests included a ranching operation, a rodeo and livestock company, and downtown Bryan businesses Catalena Hatters and the Texas Rose Boutique.

He was a medic in the Army's 9th Infantry Division and served in Vietnam.

Catalena is survived by his wife Carolyn and sons Travis, Scott, and Clay.