Sam Olivo was born in the Fifth Ward of Houston. He had a difficult childhood, being raised by a single mom, along with two sisters. During the Depression, Sam dropped out of school in the third grade to take menial jobs, such as shining shoes, to help his mother financially.
Later as a teenager, he took a position as a helper at Texas Oilfield Equipment Company. He did not want to remain a helper all his life. During his lunch break, Sam would pick up partially used welding rods. With these scaps, an older employee taught him how to weld. Sam dreamed of being self-employed, so that his children would never have to work for anyone.
In 1968 Sam exercised his entrepreneurial spirit and opened his first welding shop on West Hardy Road – Sam and Sons Welding. It was a one bay shop with dirt floors. As business grew, in 1970 he moved his shop to a three-acre tract on East Hardy Road. With long hours and hard work, his business continued to grow. In 1981, the company moved once again to a ten-acre location that housed three companies – Sam & Sons Truck and Trailer, Lone Star Diesel and Rock-Point Apparel. In 2024, Sam & Sons Truck and Trailer and Lone Star Diesel were acquired by the largest truck and trailer company in the United States, Fleet Pride, Inc. Rock-Point Apparel was retained for the third and fourth generation of Olivos.
Sam met the love of his life, Carmen Payan, at a dance in 1948. She was just 14 years old. Carmen also had a difficult childhood, as she was the daughter of migrant workers. She and her sister grew up picking crops around the United States. She also had only a third-grade education. They were not allowed to marry, until Carmen reached the age of 16. They moved to the northside of Houston in 1953 and raised five children. As of May 27, 2025, Sam and Carmen have been married for 75 years. Carmen was instrumental in the success of the Olivo Companies. She handled all the finances as Sam ran the shops. All five children eventually joined the company, as well as several grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
Sam Olivo was a religious man and knew he had been blessed by God for his hard work and determination. He also remembered his tough childhood. Consequently, the Olivo family has been extremely generous in donating funds and school supplies to two elementary schools near the company, Coop Elementary and Garcia Elementary. They also supported Christmas in El Barrio by donating large amounts of toys for children that would not otherwise receive Christmas gifts. His company also supported several men and women’s, drug and alcohol treatment centers.
Sam and Carmen were long time members of the Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Spring, Texas. They were involved in the 55+ Seniors Group and enjoyed traveling. They have visited Europe on several occasions and have seen most of the United States.
Sam is remembered as a hard worker, with grit, determination and an entrepreneurial spirit. His employees will tell you, he was a generous employer, providing each employee a turkey, ham, fruits and candies for the children each Christmas. He loved hunting and fishing with his children. He also loved spending time with his family. Sam and Carmen had achieved the American Dream. From very humble beginnings, they were able, with dedication and hard work, to create a multimillion-dollar business that has lasted for four generations.
Sam is survived by:
Wife of 75 years: Carmen Olivo; 5 Children: Samuel Olivo Jr. & wife Olga, Raul (deceased) & wife Letisia, Olivia Olivo Davis & husband Keith, Robert Olivo & wife Stella, Richard Olivo & wife Norma; 18 Grandchildren: Carrie Biesenbach husband Frank, Samuel Olivo III wife Stacey, Angela Wells husband Brad, Matthew Olivo, Rafael Olivo, Jessica Degracia husband Eddie, Danielle Castillo husband Alfred, Santino Olivo, Michael Olivo, Sara Rodriguez husband Ross, Vincent Olivo, Kelly Alexander husband Blake, Traci Schindewolf husband Carl, Tiffany Dempsey, Robert Olivo Jr., Lydia Olivo, Briana Huston husband Kerry, Eliana Treece husband Jake; 21 Great Grandchildren: Samuel Olivo IV, Lerra Olivo, Layna Olivo, Shae Turner husband Heith, Tyler Chapin wife Kenzie, Nikayla Flowers husband Brandon, Larry Dugie, Weston Wells, Isabella Degracia, Anthea Degracia, Amadeo Degracia, Dominic Castillo, Royce Castillo, Blake Alexander Jr., Jake Alexander, Tripp Schindewolf, Tucker Schindewolf, Holden Hagan Dempsey, Ruben Olivo, Robert Spense Olivo, Elijah Treece; 5 Great Great Grandchildren: Hayes Turner, Hallie Jo Turner, Teagan Nash Chapin, Bryer Worth Chapin, Breezlyn Chapin for a total of 49 descendants.
A visitation will be held on January 17, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Brookside Funeral Home - Champion, located at 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068.
A Celebration of Life will follow on the same day from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
The committal service will follow at 2:00 pm at Klein Memorial Park 2920, located at 9714 Farm to Market 2920, Tomball, TX 77375.
