Burgess “Sammy” Sams

Burgess “Sammy” Sams, beloved father, brother, and grandpa passed away on July 4, 2022, at home. Sammy was born in Livingston, Kentucky on November 28, 1929, to Alfred Andrew Sams and Maggie Mae (Clark) Sams. The sixth of nine children, Sammy’s tenacity and deep sense of responsibility developed at a young age from working on the family farm after the untimely passing of his father.

At seventeen, he joined the army and completed his GED during boot camp to become a Private of the 187th Airborne Rangers 3rd Company. While serving deployment in Korea his unit was dropped behind enemy lines in the dark of the night on a special mission. Sammy’s parachute was caught in a tree, and he was left hanging in the dark.  Although he heard explosions all around him, he was unable to free himself until morning.  He eventually located and reconnected with the troops after hiding out in various foxholes as he moved along. Some of the details of this mission have been highlighted in a book entitled Regular Army Corporal by Richard D. Elmers. Upon his honorable discharge, Sammy received the Combat Infantry Badge Korean Service Medal with two bronze Service Stars for service to his country. He maintained his love for America and the Army throughout his life, and his service sparked the fire of adventure that took him all over the world through his travels and kept him riding rollercoasters well into his 80’s.

Following the Korean war, Sammy became a successful plant manager for the companies of Boise Cascade, Elgin Corrugated and Inland Containers. He married his true love, Wanda in Indiana on June 8, 1957, and they had one daughter, Joyce, born November 17, 1958. After years of opening and managing plants across the country, at 55 Sammy retired with Wanda to New Smyrna Beach, Florida where they spent many happy years with great friends before moving to Texas to live with Joyce and her husband Jonathon and their daughter Kelly.

He leaves behind his devoted daughter, Joyce Gomez and her husband Jonathon; granddaughter, Kelly Todd (née Gomez) and husband Philip; stepchildren, Hubie Sams and Louise Raines and their families; brothers Fred Sams and wife Christine; and Herman Sams; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country.

Sammy is preceded in death by his loving wife, Wanda Sams, as well as his parents and 6 of his siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars; 1882 Park Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

A gathering of Mr. Sams’ family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His graveside service with military honors will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 8, 2022, at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont.