Sam Manford Sledge

1921 - 2003

Sam Manford Sledge, 82, after facing the challenges of lung cancer, is finally at home in the presence of the Savior he loved so much, passing away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral: 4 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, 800 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth. Private burial: Greenwood Memorial Park.

Memorials: May be made to First United Methodist Church, 800 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102; Downtown Rotary Club of Fort Worth (Children's Fund), 306 W. Seventh St., Suite 715, Fort Worth, Texas 76102; or a charity of choice.

Mr. Sledge was born July 31, 1921, in Rockdale, to Lillian and C.W. Sledge. He was married to the love of his life, Lillian Bonnette Sledge, for 59 years. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin after serving three years in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He served as a first lieutenant in the CBI theater. Sam and Lillian lived in Fort Worth for 55 years. He was in the life insurance business for 20 years having obtained the CLU designation and serving as executive vice president and CEO of American Standard Life Insurance Co. In January 1969, Sam became general manager of Leonard Properties, where he served for 16 years. In 1985, he became general manager of Edwards Ranch Properties where, he served for 18 years until his recent retirement in May 2003.

Sam served the Fort Worth community in the following offices: past president, Fort Worth CLU Chapter; past president, Breakfast Club of Fort Worth; past president, Downtown Rotary Club of Fort Worth; past president, Building Owners and Managers of Fort Worth; past president, Texas State BOMA; past president, Southwest Region BOMA; and past vice president, BOMA International. In 1978, he was the first person in Fort Worth to be awarded the real property administrator diploma from the Building Owners and Managers Institute in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth and served on the Administrative Board as well as chairman of district trustees. Sam was a member of the Petroleum Club and Ridglea Country Club.

He wrote music and played the trumpet, clarinet and the piano. Many of our favorite memories were when Dad was playing the piano for all of us or entertaining us with his latest jokes or gadgets. He had a terrific sense of humor that brought laughter and joy to us all.

Thank you, dear friends and family, for your prayers and support. Thank you to the staff at The Plaza at Edgemere in Dallas. Thank you, Vitas Hospice. We are a family knitted closely at the heart and we are so grateful to God for the wonderful husband and father that He has so generously shared with us.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and C.W. Sledge; and his brother, C.L. "Corky" Sledge.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant...Enter into the joy of the Lord."

Survivors: Wife of 59 years, Lillian Sledge of Dallas; daughters, Sherri Pulliam and husband, Paul, of Dallas and Sally Sledge of Fort Worth; sons, Brad Sledge and wife, Chrissy, of San Antonio and Steve Sledge of Dallas; grandsons, Clay Pulliam and wife, Jessica, of Dallas, Clark Pulliam of Dallas and Matthew Sledge of San Antonio; in-laws, Elbrey Bonnette, Ibrey and Dorothy Bonnette and Irley and Hazel Bonnette; and 20 nieces and nephews.