Sam E. Washam

Sam E. Washam, 86, died on Monday, December 29, 2025, at his home in Lubbock, Texas. He was born May 7, 1939 in a farmhouse near Powell, Navarro County, Texas to Sam C. Washam and Lena Maurine (Talley) Washam. Sam attended school in Roane, Texas and Corsicana, Texas, including Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. His abilities in baseball started in grade school and continued on to Navarro College. He was scouted by the Baltimore Orioles, but personal matters prevented him from pursuing a professional baseball career.

In 1960, Sam entered into the bolted steel storage tank construction business. This started his travels across the United States, building his “landmarks” in 42 states. In 1988, Sam closed the business and launched into a new endeavor. Sam started his new career as storage tank construction consultant. This led him to many places, including extensive international travels to work in 54 countries. He was considered as the expert of tank construction.

Sam served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He was an accomplished SMEL, commercial, instrument rated pilot, with over 3,500 flight hours. He owned several various aircraft. Sam enjoyed fishing and was an avid hunter. He fished in many places around the world. He made many deer and elk hunting trips into several states.

Sam married the love of his life, best friend and devoted wife, Julie Ann Hollis, on March 16, 1975, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He said marriage is the world’s biggest gamble, so why not marry in the appropriate place! They enjoyed a fulfilling and happy life for 64 years. They traveled around the world, but only to those countries that Sam felt were safe for Julie to visit. Unfortunately, Sam developed debilitating throat cancer in 2008, which he struggled with for many years. The cancer recurred several times and required several surgeries on his throat, including a laryngectomy in 2012. All their married life, he was lovingly cared for by his sweet wife, Julie.

Sam was a Baptist and member of Redbud Baptist Church in Lubbock.

Those left to share and cherish these memories are his wife, Julie; one daughter, Tammie of Blum; two sons, Lance and fiancé Noni of Lubbock; Doug and wife, Rayna, of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Kaydie, Jarrod, Jacob, and Jett; two great grandson's, and three great granddaughter's, all of Lubbock; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including one very special niece, Nanette Eubanks.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Roy Lewis Washam and his sister, Patricia Ann Page, and brother-in-law, Ray Eubanks.

Visitation for Sam will be held from 4 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, January 4, 2025, in the Oak Crest Suite of Combest Family Funeral Home, 2210 Broadway in Lubbock.  Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Monday, January 5, 2025, at Redbud Baptist Church, 801 Slide Road in Lubbock. Reverends Randy Rogers and Carlos Hinojos will be the officiants.  Final rites and interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Home.

The pallbearers will be Jarrod Washam, Jacob Washam, Jett Washam, Dale Taylor, Bobby Rogers, Bobby Fletcher, Michael Woody and Colton Estill.  Doyle Sooter will serve as an honorary pallbearer.