Sammy Odell Jorgenson

Sammy Odell Jorgenson peacefully passed away into the hands of our Lord on May 9, 2014. Born in Cranfills Gap, TX on September 29, 1939, he and his family moved to Houston when he was 4 years old. His family’s home became the gathering place for the kids in the neighborhood because there was a lighted croquet court, and table tennis set up in the garage. After school, he had a paper route and bought his first car. He graduated from San Jacinto High School in Jan 1958. There he met the love of his life, Frances Curtis, and married that girl next door on Jan 21, 1961, at Foster Place United Methodist Church and had one son.

When Sammy II was young, Frances and Sammy traveled the US and did many KOA camp outs in all the western states and saw all the national parks. He loved to spending time with his family in Anahuac fishing and skiing. Eventually, they bought their own beach house on Galveston Island where Sammy enjoyed long walks on the beach with Frances, and loved to entertain his grandchildren. Sammy read “many a book” to Josh and Diane. Josh grew up taking naps or going to sleep on his Pappa’s shoulder.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a brother. He is survived by his wife Frances, son – Sammy II and his wife Janet; 2 grandchildren, Josh and Diane, who he loved dearly; brother, Michael and wife Dana; sisters-in-law Barbara Richey, Anna Russell, Dorothy Jorgenson; brother-in-law Nunley Russell and numerous nieces and nephews.

Upon graduation, he went to work for Vaughn & Sons and then joined Hughes Tool Company in Jan 1967 where he worked as a machinist until he retired Dec 1998. Sammy was an excellent millman, and had a workshop to prove it where he built furniture and knick knacks for the family.

Sammy is a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Pasadena and a member of South Houston Masonic Lodge #1295, raised to a Master Mason in Jul 1970.

Visitation with the family will be held Monday, May 12, 2014 from 5pm-8pm and services will be at the Chapel at Forest Park Lawndale at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Burial follows the service at Forest Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, in memory of Sammy Jorgenson, 6435 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas 77505.