Samuel “Sam” Spencer Steele III

           Graveside services for Samuel “Sam” Spencer Steele III, 79, of Pasadena, Texas, will be held Monday, February 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX, 77023, with Reverend Thomas Edwards officiating.

           Mr. Steele was born on September 11, 1944, in Goose Creek, Texas, to the late Spencer Steele and Loretta (Dunn) Steele, and died Monday, February 5, 2024, in Wells TX.

          Sam was a friend among friends. He was loyal, kind, and gentle. He never met a stranger and he always rooted for the underdog, whether it was people or animals. If you needed a meal, he made sure you got one. If you needed a bed, he had one. If you needed the shirt off his back, he gave it. 

          When you encountered him, you instantly smiled, he made sure of that. He was quick-witted, always with a joke or a funny face to make you laugh. He was always up for having a good time. He loved fast cars, motorcycles, and music.  The radio was always playing. Back in the day he could be found singing along to ZZ Top, the Rolling Stones, and maybe even cutting a rug.

          Sam was a long-time member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local Union #716, in Houston. He believed in the working man, and he fought for them. He was good at his craft. It afforded him many opportunities to work across the country, including the origination of the historic Alaskan Pipeline.

           In his younger days, Sam made some poor choices in life, but he owned up to and paid for them. He wasn’t afraid to talk about and share his mistakes. He used them as life lessons and as a part of his testimony. He was sober for over 30 years when he passed away. This was something to truly be proud of.  He was honored to be a member of Faith Presbyterian Church of Pasadena. He devoted his time and resources as long as he was able. He made some lasting friendships among the congregation.

           Sam loved his daughter, unconditionally, and always referred to her as his “little crumbsnatcher” and “Day 1, love of my life.” He moved heaven and earth for her.  He loved his granddaughters and was proud of who they became. He tried hard to get marriage right, and even if it didn’t last on paper, he held a deep love and affection for Sandra Hartman and Terry Hill, maintaining a friendship with them until the end. He also held in high regard, his life-long friend of over 50 years, Mike Cloteaux, whom he loved like a brother.

          The family is grateful to all who took care of him over the years and, more recently. Many thanks to his friend, Daryl Gold for helping him the last few years and all the other friends who took time to reach out to him daily.  Thank you to the members of Faith Presbyterian Church of Pasadena for all you did for him.  Special thanks to Woodland Heights ICU teams in Lufkin, Affinity Hospice, Lufkin and Wells Nursing and Rehabilitation LTC, Wells, TX.

          His laughter, his smile and his larger-than-life presence will be painfully missed, but he can now breathe easy, drive as fast as he wants, and fish over his limit.

          He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandi and Mike Whiteman of Pollok; granddaughter and husband, Chelsea and Jason Flack of Houston TX; granddaughter and husband, Alex and Rusty Bonner of Lufkin; granddaughter and husband, Sara and Torrey Hendrix of Rosevine TX; great grandchildren, Jaelyn, Avery, Ryan, Mila, Reese, Warren, and Sloan.

          He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Mary Lou Steele Myers.

          Honorary Pallbearers are the IBEW members of Local Union #716 of Houston.

          Special memorials may be made to Winnie Berry Humane Society of Angelina County, 1102 North John Redditt Drive, Lufkin TX, 75904.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.