Sam Gummelt

Sammy Ray Gummelt, 73, of Evant, passed away Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Temple.

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Hurst Ranch Cemetery in Star, with his dear friend James Hudgins officiating.

Mr. Gummelt was born Oct. 7, 1946, in Mills County to O.B. and Retta Gay Medford Gummelt. He attended school in Midland and graduated from Evant High School in 1966. He attended Cisco Junior College and was drafted into the U.S. Army Jan. 26, 1968. He was attached to the 11 ^th Armored Cavalry Division, Black Horse Regiment. He served in Vietnam and was involved in the battles at Long Khanh Province, Bien Hoa, Long Binh and Saigon. He was honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1969.

After his military service, he went to work for his brothers as a brick mason in Texas and Florida.

Sam loved to fish, hunt and watch the Texas Longhorns play football. He was very close with his brothers, whether working, fishing or watching football games. He was a very generous and loving man with a tender heart. He loved his family, friends and all children; they loved him as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, J.B. Thompson; three brothers, O’Dale Gummelt, Bud Gummelt and June Gummelt; sister Yvonne Meissner and husband Ray; and a nephew that he dearly loved, Rex Kelly.

Sam is survived by one sister, Janice Melde and husband Lloyd; sisters-in-law Ellen Ann Gummelt and Donna Gummelt; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; special niece Kitten Clark; special young man B.J. Stephens and his family; and special friends Cathie Chaney, Gerald Kinsey and James Hudgins, who was like a brother.

Memorial donations may be made to Hurst Ranch Cemetery, 20 FM 1047 South, Goldthwaite, TX 76844 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.