Samuel Washington, Jr.

Samuel Washington, Jr was born on March 11, 1954 in Moody, Texas to Nettie Lee Jackson and Samuel Washington, Sr. Sam grew up and attended school in Moody.

Sam joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 1973, where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. The majority of his service, he was on board of the USS Independence where he guarded the brigs and the nuclear weapons. He later discharged and made California his home. In July of 1975, Sam met Sheila and they wed one year later on July 31, 1976. From this union, one son, Cory Washington (their rainbow baby) was born.

Sam started his law enforcement career in 1979 with the city of Santa Ana, California. He was also a Reserve Police Officer for the city of Calipatria, CA. After 30 years of public service, he retired. He moved his family to Texas, and they made Temple their home in 2010. Sam, or as his family calls him "Black Jack", was a joy to be around. He would drive around town and a few blocks in Moody in his 1956 Packard, blasting his old school and a little of the new school music. He loved his family, and the only thing that would keep him from a family event was when he was ill.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Washington, Sr. and mother, Nettie Lee Jackson; sisters, Mabel Faniel, Mary Martin, Ellen Tanner, Carrie Edison, and Helen Martin; brothers, Louis Charles Brown and George Pink.

Left to cherish his unforgettable memories is his devoted wife, Sheila Washington of Temple, TX; loyal son, Cory Washington (Janie) of Temple, TX; two grandsons, Richard Washington and Samuel Ruben Washington, both of Temple, TX; one granddaughter, Naliala Ortiz of Waco, TX; sisters, Flora Caldwell of Houston, TX, Earlie Robertson of Dallas, TX, Melonise Dodd (Ronald) of Temple, TX, and Pearlie Thomas of Dallas, TX; one brother, Tyrone Inge (Melinda) of Temple, TX; a host of nieces and nephews, many cousins and adored friends.