Samuel Sam Merritt Burns

Samuel Merritt Burns, age 77, returned to the arms of his Lord on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. He was born July 11, 1938 in Huntington, West Virginia, to Samuel Caperton Burns and Alma Jean Merritt Burns. He spent his early years in Dunbar, West Virginia, moving to Texas when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth Texas. After high school, he attended Texas A&M before transferring to Texas Tech where he earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. He proudly served his country as a First Lieutenant in the transportation corps in The United States Army.

He married his beloved wife, Karen, on January 7, 1963 in Topeka, Kansas. He worked with Sun Oil Company (later Oryx) for 31 years advancing in the company to the level of Vice President of Exploration and Development. He loved God, his family and his country. He enjoyed traveling the US, bluegrass music and the Texas Rangers.

He is predeceased by parents and his sister, Cynthia Fisher.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Jennifer and her husband Russell Dabbs; son, Matthew and his wife Claire; and grandchildren Sam Dabbs, Will Burns, and Sarah Burns.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 4:00 pm, in the Abbey Chapel at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Donations can be made to Southwest Parkinson's Society, 3610 22nd Street Suite 300, Lubbock, Texas 79410.