Sam J. Susser

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Julius Susser at age 82. Sam passed peacefully surrounded by friends and family after battling a long illness. Sam was born in Corpus Christi on October 26, 1939, to Sam and Minna Susser. He graduated from Ray High School in 1957 and from the University of Texas in 1962 with a BBA in Finance.

Sam was a devoted family man who had an ongoing love affair with his wife of almost 60 years, Pat Maltzman Susser.

Sam's life was defined by his love of family and his many close personal friendships. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident throughout his 60 plus years career starting at the University of Texas where he began a birthday cake business that he eventually grew to 14 other college campuses. Soon after, he and his brother Jerry developed the first self-serve credit card activated "pay at the pump" fuel system in the US. After graduation, Sam joined the Southland Corporation (7-Eleven, Inc.) where his role culminated in Executive Vice President. He also served as President of Citgo Petroleum, Chairman and CEO of Plexus Financial Services and President of Continental Parts Company. Sam served as a member, including Chairman, of the Board of Directors of Susser Holdings Corporation, which began as a fuel distribution company founded by his father in the 1930's. It grew into a publicly traded Fortune 500 company that operated Susser Petroleum Company, Stripes and Laredo Taco Company, employing 12,000 team members before it was sold in 2014. Sam was most recently serving on the board of Susser Bank (formerly Affiliated Bank, N.A.). As a recognition for his contributions to business, Sam was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2009.

In addition to his life in business, Sam was a devoted family man and loyal friend. Every morning for the past 20 years, one could find a handful of cars outside of Sam and Pat's house due to the daily 6:00 am Gin Rummy game being played among old friends. Their home was the place of joy, ping pong, dinner parties and the occasional football games for grandsons and their friends in the front yard. Sam rarely missed a school performance, tennis match, baseball game or golf tournament. He loved family dinners and never allowed one to happen without his traditional "ladies and gentlemen, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking" speech as he thanked and recognized all who were attending. Throughout football season, Saturday was set aside for Longhorn football and Sunday was for the Cowboys. Sam truly loved it all.

Sam is survived by his beloved wife, Pat, brother Jerry (Elizabeth), sisters Harriett (Jack) and Susan (Al), his son Sam (Catherine), daughter Sherry Thum (Michael), son Stephen (Jenny) and his seven grandchildren, Zach, Max, Sophie, Patsy, Sam, Brooks, Eli and one great-grandson Ezra.

He is preceded in death by his parents Senator Sam Susser and Minna Susser.

There will be a small graveside service at Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Park at 9:30 am, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The memorial service will be held at Temple Emanu-El at 3:00 pm, Rabbi Amy Rossel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Sam Susser Playground Fund at the Jewish Community Council, 750 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78411, McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Center or the charity of your choice.