Jane Gibson (Maiers)

Sam and I dated for a couple of years.  Such a great guy.  My folks really liked him and I loved his parents.  My fondest memories are when he and Ron Knight used to play guitars and sing together.  

Shari Taylor (Tant)

Sam was a very dear friend during HS and after. I too remember Ron and Sam playing guitars and a trip to Colorado to see Jane Gibson, what fun we had. When his best friend Ron Kight and I went through some tough times during our marriage which ultimately resulted in divorce Sam was still a constant in my life. He stood by both Ron and me. We stayed in touch for many years after.  Sam attended both my parents funerals he was a very special person in my life. I spoke to him right up until he passed away he still kept his sense of humor and positive attitude. Sam did and still does hold a special place in my heart.

Ron Knight

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The absolute best friend in the world!! Along with my second family as well. My dad and Sam's dad worked together for years. Sam lived on Thompson Drive at the corner of Northill and Thompson; across from Bob Brown and Mike Marks!  Sam and I learned guitar together and took lessons at The Melody Shop in NorthPark Mall, where we bought our guitars. We took to it like ducks on water and gave it our all. We lied about our age to be able to play with Randi Richards as our lead singer to play at the Rubaiyat in Dallas at Hall and McKinney in 1968. Randi is the older sister of Boon and Jean Richards and was attending North Texas State at that time. Sam  and I met so many friends in the business from those days; Ray Wylie Hubbard as a part of Three Faces West, Bill and Bonnie Hearne, Steve Fromholz, Michael Martin Murphy, BW Stevenson(who I was his duo partner)  and so many more.

I really thought that Sam and I would sing and write songs together for life. It just did not happen.While we did write songs, I ended up writing with Mike Darwin(in Oklahoma) and went on to record with our publisher in Califonia without Sam's contributions. Mike and I ending up recording Johnny Paycheck's last album. Both Mike and I wanted Sam to record with us.

I love you and miss you with ALL my heart. There is not a day that passes that I not think of you.

RK

Jim Bedwell

Unlike Jane Gibson (Maiers), I did not date Sam for 2 years. My contacts with him at RHS were few and after that none, unless I saw him at the 1st reunion. I can't remember. But he and his close friends Ron Knight & Steve Hull were all GREAT GUYS ALWAYS. Since the good like Sam die young, I'm wondering why Ron and Steve are still with us. I do remember seeing Steve at the first reunion, and his wife & I agreed that she had married a real peach.

Anyway one time about January junior year, those 3 amigos, I and one other (I think it was Ed Gray/Grey, but I could be wrong - he was a year older than we - I worked with him later that summer at the Kroger at Spring Valley & Coit) all got hold of some hard liquor so one morning BEFORE SCHOOL we 5 assembled at one of their Richardson houses and got loaded!!! School was fun that day!!! I remember David Connally's looking at me closely in math class - obviously he could smell it. Long story long, I never did that again! Don't know about the others.....hahahahahhaha..................