Sam Harvard

Sammy Ray “Sam” Harvard, 91, a longtime resident of Corsicana, Texas and Kermit, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 5, 2013 in Driftwood, Texas with loved ones by his side. Sam was born on December 13, 1921 in Navarro, Texas to Sam Forrest Harvard and Carrie Bressie Harvard, and was the youngest of four children. He spent his entire childhood in Navarro and graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 1939 at Navarro High School, prior to serving our Country in the United States Army Air Corps. Upon completion of service in the military, Sam was recruited to play softball and to work for Gulf Oil Company. He accepted the offers and relocated to Kermit, Texas, where he began his oilfield career. He later resigned from Gulf Oil to begin his own oilfield service company, Harvard Construction Company. He took great pride in the fact that he provided numerous young men in West Texas with what they termed a “Harvard Education”. It was in Kermit that Sam met the love of his life, Emma Laura Pyeatt. Sam and Emma were married in Kermit on September 8, 1950. They were blessed with two daughters, Katherine Jeanne Harvard Sizemore and Susan Marie Harvard Gregory. Sam and Emma retired in 1987 and relocated to Corsicana, Texas, where Sam spent the majority of his time working on his ranch and proudly tending to his registered Brangus cattle and Quarter Horses. In addition, he spent many mornings and afternoons furthering his knowledge as a regular member of the “Whataburger Coffee Bunch”. Sam was loved by many and continuously thought of others. One of his greatest joys was being able to provide for his family and friends. He was lovingly adored by his beautiful wife, Emma, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was devoted to his family and his faith. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Corsicana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Harvard; parents; brother, Graham “Buck” Harvard; and sisters, Mary Smith and Martha Horn. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law Kathy and John Sizemore of Nocona, Texas, and Susie and Gary Gregory of Driftwood, Texas; grandchildren, Suzann and husband Todd Griffin of Midland, Texas, Julie and husband Jarret Davis of Nocona TX, Laura Gregory of Dallas TX, Rebecca Sizemore of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April Kilpatrick of Driftwood,Texas, and Brooks Gregory of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Jase Davis, Bodie Davis, Ava Davis, Miles Griffin, Graham Griffin, and SammyRay Kilpatrick. Family visitation is scheduled from 6 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. B.F. Risinger and Rev. Benny Horn officiating. Interment will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Navarro County. Pallbearers will be family members Gene Horn, Tommy Horn, Benny Horn, David Smith, Jarret Davis, and Todd Griffin. Honorary Pallbearers will include Bunk Bottoms, Jim Bronstad, Gene Bullard, Don Butler, Bill Carmack, Jimmy Dee Coker, Bill Crawford, Woody Dosser, Byron Engstrom, Roy French, Joe Glass, Darwin Green, David Hawk, Bill Honea, Larry Hutson, Jon Ed Ingham, Jay Justice, Tony Neal, Duane Nutt, Roy Ragsdale, Tommy Ross, Jimmy Spencer, Glenn Stewart, Larry Talbert, Joe Bob Tekell and Monte Trimble. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Jean’s Downtown Men’s Bible Class, 106 Main Street, Nocona TX 76255; First Baptist Church of Corsicana, 510 W. Collin Street, Corsicana, TX 75110; First Baptist Church of Kermit, 400 E. Bryan, Kermit TX 79745; The Alzheimer’s Association; and/or The American Heart Association.

Sam Harvard

December 13, 1921 - January 5, 2013