Samuel "Sam" Wallace

Sam O. Wallace, Jr. (known to many friends and family as "Bo") passed away at his home on Sunday, February 15, 2026 after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His wife of 42 years was by his side.

He was a graduate of Anahuac High School, received his associate degree from Lee College and was a retired operator from Chevron. Sam had been a member of the Anahuac Lions Club until shift work and overtime made it impossible to remain. While an active member, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

Sam was proceeded in death by his mother, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, and nephew: Tyler Salles. He is survived by his wife of 42 years: Joey Micheli Wallace, son: Austin Wallace, siblings: Charlotte Salles and husband Erik and Lori Reagan and husband David; parents-in-law: Clifton and Hughlene Micheli (who thought of him as the son they never had), sister-in-law: Mitzi Matula and husband Larry, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Sam loved to hunt. As a youngster it was ducks, doves and squirrels. As he got older, he said he was getting too old to get up that early and get wet, so he switched to deer, doves and squirrels. After a while, he gave up on deer and continued to hunt doves and squirrels up until his diagnosis. While he loved hunting doves, his favorite part was being with friends and the camaraderie that went with hunting.

Sam also hunted alligators with Tommy Willcox and his crew for many, many years. He was able to take his nephew Christopher for many years. The last year they went gator hunting, Sam invited Chris' fiancé (Katie) and younger brother Dustin (who was home from the military) to join them in the fun. One year, Sam was able to convince his wife to go with him and Chris and they caught a gator big enough to win prize money for Tommy, as well as have a pair of custom boots made for Joey.

He was also an avid fisherman. He loved salt water fishing, fresh water fishing, fly fishing…you name it. He loved taking his fly fishing equipment with him on vacations so that he could fish for trout in the Northwest, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana and Wyoming.

He was the 1st person in Chambers County to scramble at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he caught a calf which allowed him to purchase a Brown Swiss whom he named Goldie. I understand that she provided milk for many Chambers County residents in the day as well as gave Sam some spending money. He continued to support the calf scramble at the Chambers County Youth Project Show by sponsoring students for over 3 decades. As a member of Anahuac's FFA program in high school, he was elected to be the Area 9 FFA President which allowed him to travel and meet new people.

Sam was the perfect traveling companion. He was up for anything and to go anywhere. When Joey decided they needed to go somewhere his only question was "What type of clothes do I need to pack?". In the short time he had, he was able to go to many of the National Parks, State Parks, many different states as well as a few overseas adventures. He also loved going to concerts and making road trips.

One of Sam's favorite things to do was to garden. During the growing season if you came by his house, he always had to show you his garden which in the summer had tomatoes and purple hull peas. And perhaps if you stayed long enough he would freely give away the fruits of his labor and give you advice on gardening just incase you were interested in growing one.

While everything above talks about Sam and what he did and loved to do, what's the most important was who he was. He was a calming presence to those who were in need of advice or a shoulder to cry on. He has been described by multiple people as a protector of his family, friends and especially his wife. He was loyal, kind and generous. And he gave the best hugs in the world. If you were hugged by Sam Wallace, you remember how special his hugs were. He was the perfect Southern gentleman.

Sam wished to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.