Sammy Joe Farris

Mr. Sam Farris of Lone Grove, departed this life on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Ardmore at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 21 days. A celebration of Sam's life will be held at New Hope Freewill Baptist Church on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. David Gardner officiating. Cremation services are under the direction and care of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Healdton.

Mr. Farris was born on March 9, 1947 in Chillicothe, TX to the late Mr. Lloyd L. Farris and Mrs. Cleo Dell (Hodges) Farris.

Sam grew up in Eunice, NM and graduated high school there. He later attended New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs. It was there that he met his first love, Marilyn Corzine. They married in June of 1969 and made a home in Hobbs. During this time, Sam worked for Amoco Oil Co. The couple welcomed one daughter, Trina, in 1972 and their son, Brent, in 1976. In 1978, they relocated to Corpus Christi for Sam's work in the oilfield. Again in 1981, they moved to Weatherford, OK and eventually to Ardmore, OK in 1983. Eventually, Sam started Composite Engineers and Lone Grove Pawn. After several years, Sam went to work for both the Federal Government as well as the State of Oklahoma in the oil & gas industry doing lectures, seminars, and teaching others both at Kilgore College and local schools through the Petro Pros program. He was known for handing out castings of T. Rex teeth. After Marilyn's death in 2010, Sam worked as a Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Lone Grove.

In December of 2013, he married Ms. Donia (Loper) Farris, the second great love of his life. Along with Donia, Sam was so fortunate to gain another son, Ian, and daughter, Shannon, as well as their families who loved and welcomed Sam immediately. Together Sam and Donia made their home near Lone Grove. Sam enjoyed his hot rods and was a member of the Blue River Car Club. He and Donia Loved traveling, taking road trips all over the country and to their cabin in Cloudcroft, NM where he would sit and watch the deer and elk. Sam was a talented woodworker enjoyed model trains and could usually be found in his workshop, tinkering away on his projects.


Mr. Farris is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Cleo Farris; brothers, Don and Larry Farris; sisters, Wanda Janelle Franklin and Earlene Shuflin.

He is survived by his wife, Donia Farris of the home; daughter, Trina Wolf and spouse Audrey of Washington State; son, Brent Farris and wife Christy of Ardmore; son, Ian O'Neal and wife Kari of Lone Grove; daughter, Shannon Bryan and husband Tony of Ardmore; brother, George Farris of Eunice, NM; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; Many other relatives and a host of friends.

Online condolences can be made at alexanderfuneralhome.org