Samuel Whitten Chisholm, 94, passed away Monday, September 9, 2013, surrounded by family and friends. A brief memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, September 11, in the University Church of Christ chapel. His funeral service will be held at Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel in Lubbock, Texas, on September 14 at 10:00AM. Interment will follow at Resthaven’s Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, September 13 at Resthaven Funeral Home.
Sam was born on January 14, 1919, the son of George and Mucy Chisholm in Brownfield, Terry County, Texas, the youngest of twelve children. He married Mary Margaret Harris, his beloved wife, on December 22, 1951, in Abilene, Texas, finding in her a true soul-mate and life companion.
He graduated from Brownfield High School in 1937 as Valedictorian of his class. He attended Sul Ross State University, and Texas Tech University, where he graduated in 1942, with a bachelor of Business Administration degree with highest honors. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Yeoman First Class, in Naval Intelligence. In September, 1942, he was commissioned as Ensign in the Supply Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve. Following active duty at the Naval Supply Corps School at Harvard University, he was assigned to the battleship USS South Dakota, serving in The Atlantic and South Pacific theaters, receiving six service stars. He further served at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois and was released to inactive duty in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant, Senior Grade, in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Following his military service, he studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Texas Tech University, receiving his Master of Business Administration degree in 1950. He completed further graduate study toward his Ph. D. at the University of Texas, Austin.
He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1950 and began teaching at Harding College, Searcy, Arkansas; Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico; and Texas Tech University. He retired in 1981 from Texas Tech University as a Professor Emeritus of Business Administration. During his career, he co-authored textbooks in accounting and articles for professional journals. He also taught in the Lubbock Coalition for Literacy.
He was a member of the American Accounting Association and the American Taxation Association. Honorary associations include Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Alpha Psi.
Sam was a member of Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas where he served as a Bible class teacher for many years. In Abilene, Texas he was a member of the University Church of Christ.
Sam’s joy was his family. He was a devoted husband and father, beloved Papa to 5 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a student of literature, history, the Bible, and a lover of classical and sacred music.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary Margaret Harris and is survived by his daughters; Cathy Chisholm of Abilene, Melanie Savage and husband, Keith of Abilene; 5 grandchildren; Katie Edwards and husband Chris of Lubbock, Julie Christensen of Abilene, Adriane Savage of Dallas; Daniel Savage of Abilene; and Timothy Savage of Abilene. He has two great-grandsons; Kevin and Kaedyn Edwards of Lubbock. He had many beloved nieces and nephews and was the last surviving sibling of the twelve children.
The family suggests memorials be made to Hendrick Hospice at P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604, Christian Homes of Abilene, P.O. Box 270, Abilene, Texas 79604, Children’s Home of Lubbock at P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, Texas 79408, or to a favorite charity.
Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com
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