Sammy Joe Hitt

Sammy Joe Hitt, 81, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on March 31, 2016 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Sammy was born on a farm in Wolfforth, Texas on February 20, 1935 to the late Walter and Loreen Hitt. Sammy came from a family of twenty-three children and had a multitude of nieces and nephews, all of whom he enjoyed spending time with and loved dearly. He graduated from Frenship High School in Wolfforth, Texas in 1953 and joined the United States Navy on June 30, 1955. He was stationed on the USS Yorktown at Long Beach, California, visited many exotic ports and served until June 26, 1959.

Sammy worked for Eagle Pitcher Industries for many years. He enjoyed playing chess, square dancing, and spending time with his family. He was a self-taught musician and was active in the Chancel Choir First United Methodist Church in Slaton, Texas. Sammy also loved both Slaton High School and Texas Tech sports. He was a devout Christian.

Sammy is survived by his wife of 51 wonderful years, Kathryn Jane Ames Hitt, who resides in San Antonio, Texas; sister, Mary Catherine Sewell of Lubbock, Texas; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Dale Phillips of Denton, Texas; brother-in law Ken Ketron of Odessa, Texas; daughter, Janice and son-in-law, Charles Hampton of Austin, Texas; daughter, Mary and son-in-law Bruce Forey of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughter, Bethany Kuwitzky of Lubbock, Texas; grandsons Jake and Zane Forey of San Antonio, Texas, and many nieces and nephews. Sammy is preceded in death by his parents Loreen and Walter Hitt, sisters Penny Hitt, Helen Barnett and Dona Ketron and brothers, Chester Alexander and Robert Alexander. Sammy was also a great friend to all he encountered and never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank Terry Martinez, Isabel Garces, Sarah Pineda, Sylvia Garcia and Peggy McCarter for their excellent care of Sammy at Arden Courts Alzheimer’s Facility in San Antonio, Texas and the host of other care givers who gave Sammy such loving and kind care, including Joanne Smith and the host of other nurses and aids with Legacy Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christian Senior Services, 4306 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78229 or www.christianseniorservices.org. Christian Senior Services provides an Alzheimer’s day care facility that Sammy enjoyed participating in earlier on in his disease. Sammy also helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels, which Christian Senior Services also supports.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Monday, April 11 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on 1701 Austin Highway in San Antonio, Texas. The funeral service will be held in the Garden Chapel of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 12 at 10:00 am, 825 Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas. Pastor Donna Strieb will be officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas at 11:30 am. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. You can view pictures of Sammy’s life and sign the guestbook on his legacy link at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.