Edward Burke Sams

He attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and a three-year letterman on the UGA Golf Team. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and over the years he has been a member of Athens City Club, Athens Country Club, The Presidents Club, and his beloved Fresh Sign Hunting and Fishing Club. Sams was a past director and vice president of the Georgia State Golf Association and a former chairman of the Southern Intercollegiate Fall Classic. Sams also served as a volunteer coach for the UGA Men’s Golf Team.

In his later years he was instrumental in the creation of a booster club for the University of Georgia Men’s Golf Program, the UGA Tee Off Club. The club supports scholarships for the UGA Golf Program. Mr. Sams was a longtime club president and was the chairman emeritus. The Eddie Sams Award is given annually to a patron and a letterman that make lasting contributions to the program.

He is survived by his wife, Sharyn Kloss Sams; two sons, Edward Burke Sams, Jr. and Mathew Dobbs Sams; daughter-in-law, Holly Henkel Sams; two grandsons, Everett William Sams and Colten Burke Sams; one brother, Albert Dobbs Sams, Jr.; all of Athens, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Anita Sams Holton, of Athens, GA.

The family will receive friends at the residence on Wednesday, November 5th from 5-7pm. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Athens at 2pm on Thursday, November 6, 2014, with a visitation and reception immediately following in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the UGA Tee Off Club, PO Box 1472, Athens, GA, 30603; Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY, 10018; or First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 185 East Hancock St, Athens, GA, 30601.

Online condolences may be made at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.