Samuel R. Litzenberg's Obituary
Services for 92-year-old Samuel R. Litzenberg of Longview, Texas, will be held at the First Methodist
Church, Longview at 12 o’clock on April 4, 2024. The Reverend Jay Jackson will officiate the service.
Sam was the son of Samuel R. and Elna Ekegren Litzenberg, born on Palm Sunday, the first day of
spring, March 20, 1932, in Weehawken, New Jersey. He graduated from Tenafly High School in 1950
and from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1954, with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in History and a commission in the United States Air Force.
Sam came to Texas in 1954 as a newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He was stationed at Ellington
AFB, Houston, and went on to become a radar interception instructor for the Air Training Command.
After his years in the Air Force, Sam became an independent oil operator in Houston, Texas, in the
firm of Walker and Litzenberg. He became interested in the cattle business and established Hickory
Hill Ranch in Grimes County, Texas. Their show cattle traveled the nation and won many ribbons and
trophies at such shows as the American Royal in Kansas City; the Houston Livestock Show and the
Great Southwest Stock Show at Fort Worth. He was most proud of his trophy from the West Texas
Fair in Abilene, Texas, where he had champion female with a polled Hereford in an open show. Sam
enjoyed this work very much because it gave him a chance to improve on God’s work. He also
operated a dairy for several years.
Having been blessed with a pleasant speaking voice, Sam moved on to broadcasting and worked at
radio stations in Dallas; KOSY, Texarkana; KWKH, Shreveport, Louisiana, and KOOI in Jacksonville,
Texas. He was also station manager of KDOX in Marshall, Texas, for several years. He also loved to
cook and was always working on a better cheesecake recipe. He perfected the cheesecake and they
soon became world famous while in Marshall. From this point he went into the restaurant business.
Some fifteen years later, he retired from this and settled at his home on Lake Cherokee. He continued
to make cheesecakes for friends, family, and church fundraisers.
Serving God was important to Sam and he felt the best way to serve Him was to sing His praise. He
was in his church choir from the time he was a boy soprano. He still choked up when it came to
singing the great old hymns of the church. As with singing, he loved the theater. He was in many
productions of the Longview Community Theater and the dinner theater productions of First Methodist
Church. His two favorite roles were an “Olan,” the bass in the quartet, in “Music Man”, and as the star
keeper in “Carousel.”
A proud moment in Sam’s life was when he and his wife, Judy, donated the concert grand piano that
proudly sits in this sanctuary which is dedicated to Sam’s Mother, Elna.
In recent years, Sam took up welding and made gates, baker’s racks and beautiful baskets for the
patio or to hang from a tree.
Sam is preceded in death by his daughter, Diana.
Sam is survived by his wife, Judy. Through their years they have enjoyed traveling to beautiful
destinations such as Paris, France, Alaska, and New Orleans, where they enjoyed wonderful food
and scenery.
Sam is survived by his sons, William Kent Litzenberg and wife Sara Beth of Franklin, TN, Bruce
Litzenberg and his husband Dan Macey, and son-in-law George Henry.
Grandchildren Lessie Nicole Litzenberg of Nashville, Tennessee. Laura and husband Adam Hall of
Maryland. Cameron Seth and wife Charity Litzenberg of Springhill Tennessee, Joanna Henry, Travis
Henry and wife Susan of Austin.
Great-Grandchildren Sidney Baker and Goldie Mae Litzenberg, Olle John, Frankie Love, and Diana.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sam’s name to Asbury House where Sam loved to
read to the children or to the Fine Arts Council at First United Methodist Church, Longview, TX
What’s your fondest memory of Samuel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Samuel?
Share a story where Samuel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Samuel you’ll never forget.
How did Samuel make you smile?