Samuel Prescott McManus

Dr. Samuel Prescott McManus was born on March 16, 1933, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to parents Sidney and Dixie. He and his older brother, Hugh, spent many days fishing on the coast and exploring the woods together every chance they could. Sam played sports in High School, was as smart as a whip and the President of his class. He was active in the U.S. Naval Reserve and then attended Ole Miss, where he met and married his soulmate and the love of his life, Lee.

The couple moved to Jackson, MS so Sam could attend medical school to achieve his dream of helping people. After earning his degree, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army for several years and then became “the” general practitioner in Gloster, MS and did everything from pulling teeth to birthing babies. Sam then focused on Radiology in Memphis, TN, and finally moved the family to Houston, TX where he and Lee made a home for 50 years. There, he joined Memorial Radiology Associates, and eventually became the Head of the department before retiring after more than 25 years.

Sam enjoyed a fun and active social life with Lee - hosting dinner parties, going to dances and supporting live theater and local musicians. They both loved going on vacations and spending time with family, which includes sons Daniel with daughter-in-law Kristen, Stuart with daughter-in-law Barbara and grandson Mitchell with wife Audrey, daughter Holly with son-in-law Chuck and granddaughters Cuinn and Kait.

Sam never met a stranger. He was a good listener and an amazing storyteller – entertaining friends and family around the dinner table as well as the campfire. He was a talented cook and very creative - crafting handmade belt buckles, jewelry and walking sticks over the years. Sam loved experiencing the great outdoors in many ways – including golfing, fishing, working in the yard and hunting.

He was especially passionate about the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), tirelessly giving his time and talents to the organization at the local and state level for over 50 years. What was important to Sam was sharing the experience with others, spending time in the woods and promoting the stewardship of the land. In his early days you had to be quick to outdraw him on a gobbler, but in later years he gracefully made sure to put his hunting partners in the best position for the shot. Forever the optimist, he was always convinced that another gobbler was just over that next ridge.

Sam also had a very special place in his heart for dogs, and kept a quote in his wallet at all times: “Every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

Everyone around Sam knows he indeed had an enormous heart, and gave generously to many different charities, organizations and groups over the years to help people, animals and causes he cared about. Please consider donating to Houston Pets Alive! www.houstonpetsalive.org, Champions Kids Camp www.championskidscamp.org, or the NWTF https://www.nwtf.org in honor of Sam.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 2, between 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home,13001 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service for Sam will be held Friday, June 3, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home with a reception to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the McManus family.