Sam B. Raia Jr.

Sam “Sammy” Bernard Raia, Jr. of Sugar Land, a devoted husband and father who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, went to heaven on Sunday, the 1st of March 2015. Sam had an indomitable spirit and strong faith throughout his life, but finally succumbed after a thirty year battle with cancer.

Sam leaves the family he loved, including his beautiful wife Terese (Ancona) Raia; and children Deborah Smith and husband Rix, Sam B. Raia III and wife Mary Lynn, Elizabeth Backiel and Mary Margaret Giles and husband Doug. He had seven grandchildren, Hannah Basel, Regis Giles, Scott Nunez, Andrea Spruill, Zachary Spruill, Robert Backiel, Teresa Backiel, Corrine and Melissa Smith; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Sam was born at the original St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston on the 6th of January 1935, to Sam Raia Sr. and Mary Francis Raia and was raised in Houston with two brothers, Carl (deceased) and Russell.

He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary Catholic School, St. Thomas High School, and graduated in 1956 from the University of Houston with a B.A. degree in journalism. He was a member of the Gan Bay fraternity (later affiliated with the national Sigma Chi fraternity) at U of H where he enjoyed the annual Frontier Fiesta celebration as a participant in the Bella Union show.

An adventurous spirit, Sam tried to join the Marine Corps Reserve when he was 15 years old, and narrowly missed being called up in one of the first units fighting in the Korean War when his mother chewed out the Marine sergeant who recruited him and revealed his age.

Sam later joined the Air Force Reserve after graduating from college in 1956 and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He was known to have hitchhiked home to Houston from the base to enjoy his mother’s homemade pasta and ricotta.

He enjoyed sports and was an avid tennis player and golfer. An active member of the Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land, he golfed regularly and also was Past President of the club. He was often seen in the gym or on the golf course well after he turned 70. He played fast pitch softball on the Paisanos softball team as a young man, including a notable 23 inning Houston Chronicle tournament game.

One of his big disappointments as a youngster was making his high school football team, but not being able to play because he wore braces and his mother would not allow him to play since face masks were not used on helmets at that time.

Industrious and a hard worker from the time he was a youngster, Sam started working at the age of thirteen in produce stands at food stores like Piggly Wiggly. As a teenager, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and later installed air conditioners while in college. After graduating from college, he worked as a draftsman at Fish Engineering.

In 1959, Sam went to work in sales at the Gaido-Lingle Pipe Coating Company and retired 42 years later as Executive Vice President of Sales. He was also the Past President of the National Association of Pipe Coating Applicators.

Sam was active in his community and a strong supporter of conservative and pro-life organizations. He was a member of St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land and very active in the Fort Bend Republican Party for many years.

He attended many GOP precinct conventions and was a delegate to many senatorial and state conventions. He was honored to have the chance to attend the national GOP convention in 1999. He was not shy about communicating with elected officials and was respected by many community leaders because of his dedication to truth and honesty. He was made an honorary life-long member of The Spirit of Freedom Republicans Women’s Club.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 5th of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where a Vigil Service and recital of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock led by Deacon Don Burns.

A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 6th of March, At St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Boulevard in Sugar Land, where the Rev. Tom Hawxhurst, Parochial Vicar, will serve as celebrant.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Parish Hall.

The Rite of Committal is to follow the reception, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mr. Raia’s name be directed to Foundation for Life, 10900 NW Freeway, Suite 112, Houston, TX 77092.