Sammy G. Dishman Sr.

Sammy Gene Dishman, Sr. was born July 21, 1934 and went to his Heavenly Father Sept. 9, 2013. Sammy lived most of his life in Longview where he had many business enterprises, but most knew him and his wife Dot through the Dairy Queens that they owned and operated from 1967-1997. They enjoyed thirty fun filled years of long hours, hard work and meeting some wonderful people. A well-balanced team they were....Dot with her professional business sense and Daddy with his people skills. He never met a stranger and always made everyone feel welcome and appreciated. As they worked together, their businesses thrived.

Sammy also owned many other businesses including Longview Travel Trailer and Camper sales, Texas Wrecker Service, which he expanded to include all aspects of repairing automobiles and the new name became Texas Consolidated Services Inc.; Dishman’s Smokehouse and Grandmas Fried Chicken. Finally after retiring more adventures were to follow. Daddy really didn’t understand the meaning of retirement. He was usually busy expanding his homes and buildings he owned. Daddy always found the deals which enabled him to continue working. The man never slowed down. Our Daddy had the most giving and kind heart. He would go out of his way to help anybody, and he always had a smile on his face. Sammy attended Harleton schools and Kilgore College. After college he entered the Army, and married his wonderful wife Dorothy and shortly thereafter they had 3 children.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Jean Dishman; one brother and sister in law Don and Madeline Dishman of Athens, Tx; sister in law Jeanie Dishman of Gladewater; one son Sammy G. Dishman, Jr. and his wife Tammy; daughter Nina Wilson and her husband Tony, daughter Jo Swanson and her husband Eric, all from the Longview area. He had 9 grandchildren: Amber Butler, Heidi Young and husband Mitchell, J.C. Woodard, Holly Smallwood and husband Josh, Samantha Rector and husband Justin, Mary Morgan Swanson, Sammy Dishman lll (Trip), Dorothy Swanson, and Taylor Dishman. He had 8 great grandchildren: Caden and Lane Butler, Charley Young, Maddi, Maci and Josh Smallwood, Andrew and Mary Rector, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 at the Greggton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Bright officiating under the direction of the Lakeview Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 6 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be: J.C. Woodard, Trip Dishman, Taylor Dishman, Mitchel Young, Josh Smallwood, Justin Rector, and Jeff McKnight. Honorary Pallbearers are: Joe Williams, Warren Keys, Merritt Johnson, Ricky Evans, Patrick Robertson, Jerry Evans, Pete Schovoni, Nick Orciuoli, Cecil Davis, Many Rubio, Jim Gray, Jelly Evans and the Members of his Kingdom Builders Sunday School Class. Flowers are permitted or memorials may be made to the Greggton First Baptist Church Children’s Ministry or the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission.