I am honored and blessed to have known Mr. Sam J Danna for 30 years. Mr. Sam J Danna was a wonderful boss / mentor and an amazing influence in my life. I am a much better person for having known him. I will greatly miss his words of wisdom and encouragement. May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort knowing that he is home.

Having married into a large family of bright, interesting and great-humored individuals (not unlike my own!?), Uncle Sam stood out in a very special way. 
He wasn't usually in the center of the action during wonderful, boisterous family gatherings at the beautiful home he shared with Aunt Jean ~ unless he was trying to complete a joke, laughing all the way through it to the punch line! 
He could usually be found on the sidelines, smiling largely, as he took in all the lovely chaos & laughter going on around each room & spilling into their garden area! Of course, Uncle Sam was forced to accept well-deserved praise for his supreme & sometimes unusual grilling skills. I particularly remember enjoying some chicken that he had cooked standing up < the chickens, too! > with aluminum cans to hold them up. We all just seemed to find that especially entertaining and quite delicious! 
Thank you, Uncle Sam, for always making me feel welcome, as if I'd been born into the family. You were my and Larry's last living uncle and we will forever cherish memories of our special times together. ♡
Love, 
Suzy 

Uncle Sam was the kind of man who made everyone feel important ~ he was always interested in hearing about what was going on in everyone else's lives and was ready to lend an ear and an upbeat attitude about any issues, whether personal or business.  At one time, some years ago, I expressed an interest in servicing medical equipment;  Uncle Sam, with his immense experience working in nuclear medicine at MD Anderson, offered me some tips on breaking into the field. When I finally did, about 15 years later, with his insight, knowledge and deep understanding of the type of clients and environment that I dealt with, we were both able to share insights into what we were up against each day in our quest for quality service in such an important field! He truly understood my "work stories" and enjoyed taking the time to hear them. 
I've known my Uncle Sam for 60 years, since I was 5 years old, and will surely miss him!

Larry Parkerson

Sam was not only my father in law but also my friend. His joke telling and his practical gifts along with his love for his family will be greatly missed. One thing that you could always count on from him at Christmas time was to give you the most practical, useful gift that you would have never bought for yourself. One year he bought us a rechargeable personal generator that we looked at and thought "OK , thanks, I'm not sure when I will use this but what a great gift." Fast forward several years to 2008 when Hurricane Ike knocked out power for over a week. That crazy gift kept a light burning in our house every night so we didn't have to sit around with candles burning.  Inever questioned one of his gifts again.  And then there were his jokes. They weren't necessarily good jokes but just watching him try to get through telling one of his many Aggies jokes was hilarious.
He was a great father in law and friend and I will miss him.

  One of the things that I remember about Papa Sam the most was how much he cared about his family. Even for us being hundreds of miles away, Papa Sam still made sure to reach out and let us know we were loved by him. I wish I would have gotten to live in Huston, and have had Papa Sam more in my everyday life. But despite that, I knew That he love me and the time he got to spend with our family.  Every time our family would visit,  Papa Sam and I would talk for hours about what is happening in my life, and he would make me laugh and give me advice.  He genuinely cared about me and what I was doing, and was so wise with the advice he gave me. I hold those conversations I had with him very close to my heart,  Because if anyone knows anything about life, it’s Papa Sam. I wish he could have seen me in the last few years to have made him proud of how much I’ve grown, but I know he would have been proud of me no matter what. Papa Sam loved us all that same way I hope that he is up there looking down and guiding us everyday. He is the best grandfather I could have asked for and I loved him so much, but i know one day, I’ll get to see him again. 

My dad taught me those things a dad teaches a son.  How to throw a ball, hit a ball, fix a bike, fix a car.  He taught me that understanding how something works will go a long way to understanding how to repair a thing.   Not only mechanical things.  He taught me to respect, be polite, and kind.  I didn't realize it a the time, but these are the lessons that serve for a lifetime.  He was my dad.  He taught me a lot and he will be missed.

The last time I saw my dad we said our 'see ya later' over an empty urinal bottle.  

Whenever my dad and I got together we would complain about politics, religion and life in general. Sometimes we were on the same side of the fence but most times not. During his last stay in the hospital we discussed less and shared more and I finally answered all his questions honestly.

On that last visit as I was asking if he needed anything and telling him I'd be by the next day I reached over the side of the bed and gave him a hug over that empty bottle.  At the time I didn't think anything of it, just glad it was empty.

The next morning he was gone. I thought about my last visit and remembered the bottle. We had said everything there was to be said. We had settled all of our disagreements there was nothing left to complain about. An empty bottle.

Love ya Dad, rest easy

Sam Danna was always in my presence, a kind, humble, sweet Christian soul. He was patient and forbearing.  He loved his family and children gravitated to him. This is how I will always remember my uncle. 

     Sam was my brother-in-law but beyond that more like a beloved brother.  He was always hospitable and cheerful, loved all the children in the family and encouraged family get-togethers.  He delighted being the master of the barbecue pit even in the heat of summer.
     Sam would cater to our mother's request for special Christmas tamales even though he had to go quite a distance to get them--always without grumbling.  Whatever the need, we could count on Sam for help.
     He came to my rescue many times.  Sam lives in my heart as a real Christian champion.
I will always love you.

"Hi guy." Pawpaw said it all the time, even after I reminded him that I was in fact, not a guy. 
There are a lot of memories that I can share. Pawpaw was the bulk of my growing up. I don't have much of the first 20 years without him in it. I remember the way he breathed when he slept and how we would pinch his nose to make his mouth pop open. I remember the smell of the bandaids in the tin in his bathroom when he was doctoring booboos. I remember shopping in his pantry that was always full of our favorite snacks. I remember every hug, every laugh, every frustration that I vented out to him. 
Even when I thought I was done growing up and had it managed on my own, Pawpaw was there. To sneak Roman snacks, to give Audrey rides on his walker, and to catch (or at least try) Scarlett when she jumped. One of the last times I saw Pawpaw in the hospital I asked if we could take a selfie so everybody knew he was ok. He said "Yea, how does my hair look?"
There will never be another man like my Pawpaw. 

Paw Paw is my favorite person in the whole wide world. It is still hard for me to acknowledge that he is no longer here to hug. Writing a favorite memory for him is difficult for me. One there are so many and two because it feels like the final step in accepting his death.

He was the one constant in my life growing up and into adulthood. He was always on the other end of the phone when I called, he was always at his house when I stopped by unannounced, and he would always listen to whatever trivial problems I had.  He was a great support system for me.

I loved spending time with him. I've never known anyone as kind and compassionate as my Paw Paw. He was dependable. He was the grandfather all kids should have. He was fun, he kept us well fed, and he made us feel loved. He never stopped being the best grandfather even into my adulthood.

The hole left in my life since his passing is large. He has been extremely important and influential on my life and I will do everything I can to live up to the person he was.

I miss you tons Paw Paw! Rest easy.

I met my husband Sam the summer I graduated from high school when I was 
eighteen and he was twenty-two.  He was my first and only love to this 
day.  He swept me off of my feet on our first date. He was an easy 
going, kind and generous man.  Sam was a devoted husband, father and 
grandfather.  He was happiest when he was surrounded by family, 
especially on holidays.  There never was a time he was not there for his 
family when needed.  He was always actively involved with his sons as 
they were growing up and his grandchildren as each one was introduced 
into the family.  Being a grandfather was a role he especially  
cherished.  He was a real push over with each one of the seven 
grandchildren.  They definite y were the light of his life.

Sam enjoyed Italian food and was always trying to duplicate his favorite 
foods that his mother made for him.  I can't say that he was successful 
but we ate it anyway and raved over his effort. His real specialty was 
preparing Italian olives for the holidays, even taking them to 
Washington on the plane, just so the family there could have them for 
Christmas.  Whether in Houston or Washington the olives were 
enthusiastically consumed before they could make it to the table.

Sam was a jack of all trades around the house, fixing things and 
puttering in the garage.  While never admitting to giving up on a 
project there were times when the real experts would have to be 
summoned.  Sam was a funny guy in a funny way, mostly because he could 
not tell a joke without laughing hysterically before he could reach the 
punch line, which, of course, made us laugh hysterically at him.

There was one time when the joke was turned on him.  After a track meet 
involving the boys,  we decided to stop for something to drink.  Marc 
and Bryce had the bright idea to put an exploding pellet in Sam's 
cigarette while he was distracted.  We could hardly contain our laughter 
waiting for the big explosion.  After a few puffs the cigarette finally 
exploded leaving a surprised and not so amused look on Sam's face.  To 
this day we can not stop laughing when the story is retold describing 
Sam's  reaction when the cigarette blew up in his face.

Sam enjoyed being around people and was especially loyal to his 
closest friends.  He was a good conversationalist and was able to 
discuss a broad range of topics.  Being an avid reader he especially was 
energized talking about politics, never forcing his opinions on anyone, 
but quietly making his point of view known, while allowing everyone else 
to do the  same.

For the last few years Sam struggled with serious health issues and it 
was heartbreaking to see him slowly deteriorate, yet he seldom  
complained and never tried to be a burden on me.  Sam believed in God 
and was a good Christian, so when his time was near, he was ready to let 
go.  It gives me great comfort to know he no longer suffers pain and is 
at peace in a beautiful place.

I miss Sam every day and still listen for his movements.  It has been 
difficult to accept his absence in my life.  He demanded little  in life 
but gave all of himself to everyone. We all miss him.

All My Love Always Sam






I have a lot of memories of Papa Sam.   I remember when we were little and we 
would spend some summers in Houston and he would watch us run around in the back yard trying to catch lizards. 
I remember sitting on the couch with him bouncing a bouncy ball off of his stomach over and over again.  I thought it was the funniest thing.  It would have us both laughing so hard.
The last two summers I was there I really enjoyed his stories and how he talked about his childhood  and where our family came from.  The history was amazing to hear.  Also the time he and Mimi were in Washington and he came to cheer practice and he was filming me.  I acted embarrassed, but I was so happy.
I remember when we drove over an hour just to find Italian olives for us to prepare for Christmas.  We couldn't eat them fast enough.
Lots and lots of good memories, even though we didn't live close to each other when I was growing up.  I'll miss him so much the next time I come down. 
I love him a lot and still do.
Shelby Danna, granddaughter 

Papa Sam was always the relative I just loved to talk to.  When I came to Houston for Christmas a few years ago we would just have conversations all the time, and he was the one I always wanted to be with.  I made sure that I was always by him. 
Even though I never really got the chance to spend a lot of time with him I was always a grandpa's girl
I loved hm a lot and still do.
Blake Danna, granddaughter.

He was always there with either a guiding hand or words of encouragement, allowing me to learn at my pace.   Whether the lesson was when I was 5 or 50, I never stopped learning when I was around Dad.  It was primarily sports, home repairs, cars, building things and generally how to be a good kid when I was younger, but moved more into life lessons as we grew older together.  

I'll miss our talks, the lessons learned, the model of the man I would like to one day become.  

Rest easy Dad

Marc, Jean, Jodi and family.  My heart is sad that you have lost your beloved "Sam". I wish you Peace that brings comfort, Courage to face the days ahead and Loving Memories to Forever hold in your hearts.  God bless you ALL!

Move over Danna Family in Heaven, the Good Lord has called home another Danna, aka my Uncle Sam Danna.
Jean, I am honored to provide police motorcycle escorts for Uncle Sam to his final resting place.
God Bless you Sam and the entire DANNA FAMILY.
Joe Danna

Bryce, I am so sorry to hear about you and your family's loss. My sincerest condolences. Prayers for all.

My sincere condolences to the Danna Family.

My thoughts and prayers to the Danna Family. With Sincerest sympathy
Joan Cordiner (Collegue of Bryce from GB BioSciences).

Uncle Sam was a loving, wise, and kind man.  I remember many a Thanksgiving - watching the Texas/Texas A&M game - listening to Uncle Sam explain why A&M was the better school.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Danna family.

May God bless Sam on his journey with the Lord, and bless his wonderful family and all those who love him. What a beautiful, loving, gentle presence he had, a pleasure to be around. He will be greatly missed! The angels are smiling upon his arrival, he will light up the heavens like he lights up the hearts of all those he loves!  May the peace of the Lord be with Sam and his family always.. and may a memory always bring a smile in your hearts.

OBITUARY

Samuel Joseph Danna

April 18, 1933 – January 24, 2018

Earthman Funeral Directors

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