Colonel (Ret.) Sam W. Floca

an extended battle with cancer. He is survived by his daughter, Amy J Floca Heidel, his

son-in-law, Toby E Heidel, and his step-granddaughter, Maya J Heidel, of Austin, Texas.

Sam was born in Temple, Texas, on July 30, 1941, the only child of Samuel William Floca and

Marguerite (McKay) Floca, who were also natives of Bell County. He was a sixth generation

Texan. He graduated from Temple High School in 1959. He continued his studies at Southern

Methodist University in Dallas where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He

was married to Sharlie Lynn Gunter from 1970 until 1976 and they had one child, Amy Johanna.

Sam enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and was commissioned as a Private. He

served with the 1st Infantry Division - The Big Red One. He served two tours in the Vietnam

War and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, two Bronze Stars, the Legion of

Merit, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and five Purple Hearts for his wounds

during combat. He held many positions during his military career, including Public Affairs Officer

for the Pentagon, Chief Public Affairs Officer for the US Army Europe, Commander of the 3rd

Battalion, 37th Field Artillery at Herzo Base in Germany, Instructor of Military History at Ft Sill,

Oklahoma, and Director of Military Strategy at the US Army War College in Carlisle,

Pennsylvania. He proudly served his country until he retired as a Colonel in 1992.

Sam lived his retirement years fully. He was a scholar who focused on military history,

especially the Civil War. This led him to the position of technical advisor and author for a Civil

War artist in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed leading private tours of the battlefield and

was thrilled to be able to work on the movie “Gettysburg” as a technical advisor to several of the

actors. When he moved back to Bell County in 1994 he renewed old friendships and created

many more. He rediscovered his passion for golf, playing in various tournaments and winning

quite a few - he even hit several holes-in-one. He loved spending time on the lake bass fishing

with friends, only falling out of the boat once or twice. He lectured publicly and privately on the

Civil War. He was an avid collector of toy soldiers, a unique hobby that brought him joy and

broadened his community. His passion for military service was reinvigorated when he was

asked to be the Honorary Regimental Colonel for the 82nd Field Artillery at Ft Hood, Texas. He

mentored and came to love this next generation of soldiers. He sought to “never overlook the

common soldier - to talk to them, advise them, and lead them.” He was a soldier until the end.

Sam made a lasting impression on all who met him. He was both interested and interesting.

He loved meeting new people and broadening his host of friends. He was charismatic and had

a wonderful sense of humor. He was a devoted and loving father. He was loved by many and

will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Sam's name to The Rev. Dr. A.W. Watkins Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 8045 Montgomery, AL 36109 (www.revdrawwatkins.org) would be appreciated.