Samuel Lewis Lunsford's Obituary
Sammy was born October 1, 1931, in Gilmer, Texas to Samuel Lunsford and Floy Mooney. Sammy passed away quietly on the morning of Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center after a brief illness. A celebration of life will be held Monday, October 17, 2022, at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. at Rader.
Sammy grew up in Hallsville, and after graduating from Hallsville High School, Sammy enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii where he met the love of his life, Mary Miyo Iha. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Hallsville, Texas and Mary soon followed where they made their home and lived for the full 61 years of their marriage prior to Mary’s passing in 2016. The family grew with four sons. Sammy was employed by the Texas Eastman Kodak Company until his retirement in 1991. Through the years, Sammy enjoyed many activities including visiting with friends (their home was always open), golfing, walking the neighborhood, music, cooking and eventually loved his word search books to pass the time.
Sammy is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Mary, brothers, Louie Lunsford, Max Lunsford and sister, Maxine Waldrop. He is survived by sisters, Nelwin Hollingsworth of Longview and Margie Morrow of Dallas; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Sue Lunsford of Longview; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Linda Lunsford of Harlingen; son, Kelly Lunsford of Longview; son and partner, Timmy Lunsford and James Saenz of Austin; four granddaughters, Stacey Scott, Krystal Martinez, Alicia Still and Ali Martinez; and six great-granddaughters, all of whom brought him great joy in life.
The pallbearers will be Louie Lunsford, Robert Key, James Saenz, Brad Scott, Mitchell Still and Tommy Moore.
The family wishes to give a heart-felt thank you to Dr. Sreeman Jampana and the staffs of both Alpine House Assisted Living and Hawkins Creek Assisted Living for their years of love and care for Sammy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charity of choice.
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