Celebrating the life of Samuel Lyndon Priest born on April 13, 1956 in Georgetown, Texas. His parents were Gladys Novosad Priest and Ernest Elton Priest. Sam was the fourth of five children. He is preceded in death by his mother and father as well as his older sister, Debra. Sam is survived by his brothers Terry, Kirby and Steven Priest. He is also survived by his wife, Pamela Priest, as well as his children Jill Medina, Paige and Jonathan Lowder, and Wilson and Haley Priest, and his grandchildren, Lizzie and Madeline Medina, Elizabeth and Olivia Priest and Braxton Lowder.
He graduated from Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas in 1974, then attended Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. After graduation, Sam began his dream of touching lives through coaching and teaching. He taught and coached for 39 years. Sam’s career began in 1980 in Snyder, Texas where he spent his first-year teaching and coaching junior high. Sam then continued to follow his calling in Aspermont, Texas from 1981-1982. He spent the next two years at Mabank High School teaching science and coaching basketball and football. In 1984, Sam earned his first head coaching position at Rains High School in Rains, Texas. After spending two years in Rains, Sam decided to take another head coaching job in Grand Saline, Texas where he would eventually meet his future bride, Pamela. The couple met in 1987 on a blind date that was orchestrated by two of Pam’s nieces: Lena and Lisa. In just a short year the couple was married. In 1992, Sam and Pam decided to move to La Porte, Texas where they still reside today. Sam coached at La Porte High School for five years. In 1997, he took a coaching job at Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas where he coached for seven years. After a gratifying time at Sterling, Sam took an athletic coordinator and coaching job at Stafford High School in Stafford, Texas where he enjoyed five years. In 2012, Sam took a teaching and coaching job at First Baptist Christian Academy in Pasadena, Texas where he spent two years. In 2014, he accepted his final teaching and coaching position at The Covenant Preparatory School in Kingwood, Texas. He spent his last five years fulfilling his calling of touching lives and leading people to Jesus.
Sam loved his family dearly and was admired by too many people to count: from classmates, former players, coaching colleagues, to family and friends. He was a devout servant and loved Jesus with his every being. He enjoyed golfing, Hallmark movies, any sort of talent competition, and was an avid songwriter.
Sam held many titles throughout his life. He was a Christian, husband, father, Pops, coach, teacher, mentor, lyricist, and friend. However, no matter what hat he was wearing, his passion and devotion never waivered. He gave his all in every aspect of his life.
