HISTORY

Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services, Inc. was originally founded as Dwight Sleeper & Company in 1962 by Dwight W. Sleeper, Jr. (1915-1987).  Dwight had been a junior partner in a local agency for ten years prior to striking out on his own.  Dwight Sleeper & Company was operated as a sole proprietorship until Mr. Sleeper combined it with the Stewart Insurance Agency (owned by Waldo Stewart) and purchased a third agency, E. G. Dean & Company.

In 1964 he was joined by Earl Sewell and the agency became known as Sleeper, Sewell & Company.  Mr. Sewell retired at the end of 2004.  Dwight’s son, Bill Sleeper joined the firm in 1970.  At the end of 2008 the company had grown to 57 employees and approximately $65 million in premium volume.

On January 1, 2006, Sleeper Sewell and Company was acquired by The American National Bank of Texas, located in Terrell.  This bank was founded in 1875 and has experienced considerable growth in Dallas and six other counties in North Texas with more than 30 locations.  The operating name has been changed slightly to Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services, Inc., which is a division of ANBTX Insurance Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the bank.

From the very launch of the agency, the Sleepers and members of the firm have been active in the community and the insurance industry.  Both Dwight and Bill Sleeper have served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas.  Dwight went on to be president of the Texas Association of Insurance Agents, and Bill served as the national president of the Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.

As Rotarians, both had the privilege of serving as president of Rotary Club of Park Cities. At the time of his passing, Dwight Sleeper was weeks away from his term as District Governor of Rotary, the highest elected official in the area.