Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff III

Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff III, 70, passed away at his home in Lampasas, Texas, on June 4, 2026. He was born on December 6, 1955, in Houston, Texas, to Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff Jr. and Glen Rose (Callahan) Shurtleff.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel, 201 E. 3rd Street. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service.

Sam grew up in Waco, Texas, and graduated from Richfield High School in 1974. After high school, he attended McLennan Community College for one year before continuing his education at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where he earned a degree in Biology. While attending, he met the love of his life, Vicki.

After graduating, Sam began his career as a math teacher with Copperas Cove ISD, where he faithfully served students for 30 years. During that time, he also managed the family ranch near Izoro, Texas. Following his retirement from CCISD, Sam joined Camber Corporation as a member of a weapons reset team supporting the U.S. Army. His work later took him to Afghanistan, where he served as an armorer and trained Afghan armorers. He retired from that role in 2019.

Sam married Vicki Blankenship on August 26, 1978, in Stephenville, Texas. Together, they shared nearly 48 years of marriage filled with love, faith, family, and devotion.

A dedicated member of Central Christian Church, Sam served as a worship leader for many years until his health no longer allowed him to continue. He was also a proud member of the Masonic Lodge. Sam had a lifelong passion for firearms, enjoying shooting, gunsmithing, reloading ammunition, and teaching others how to safely and responsibly use weapons. He was an avid hunter and, for several years, served as a 4-H Shooting Sports leader, helping young people develop skills and confidence.

One of Sam's greatest joys was caring for the family ranch, where he raised cattle and spent countless hours working the land he loved. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family, who were the center of his life.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff Jr. and Glen Rose Shurtleff.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki Shurtleff of Lampasas, Texas; his sons, James Glen Shurtleff and partner Eliese of Lampasas, and Robert Allan Shurtleff and fiancée Shauna Madaris of Lampasas; his granddaughter, Summer Tally and husband Luke of Comanche, Texas; and many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX, 75219.

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