Sam Plumlee

Sam Plumlee, Sr., 79, of Westridge Road, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at his home. Visitation will be 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Friday, October 5, 2012 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2012, 10:00 AM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Sam Plumlee, Jr. and Lynn Alexander officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Sam Plumlee, Sr. was born August 21, 1933 in Polar, Texas to Steven and Vela (King) Plumlee. The family moved to Robert Lee, Texas where Sam attended Robert Lee High School and played football. After winning a fight with polio, Sam worked ranches in NM and Dell City, TX, meeting the love of his life there. He married June Goad on January 16, 1952. Sam went to work in the oilfield for a better pay check. Sam finally settled down in Carlsbad, NM working for IMC until the strike of 1962. He worked various jobs until he was hired on with Duval and eventually worked his way up to maintenance superintendent, retiring after 30 years of service. He and June had four sons, Sam Jr., Bobby Ray, Billy Randall and Ricky Dale and they lost three of their sons at early ages. Sam was a member and a leader at Tenth and Lea Church of Christ. He served the Lord by preaching, song leading and worship. Sam was an animal lover and fed and cared for feral cats down by the river until they lost their habitat due to construction. He was loved, respected and trusted by any that knew him. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; three sons: Bobby Ray in 1955, Ricky in 1975 and Billy in 1976. Survivors are his wife, June Plumlee of the family home; son, Sam Plumlee, Jr. and his wife, Sue of Carlsbad, NM; four grandchildren: Marvin Plumlee, Christy Hill, Cindy Michaels, Grace McBee; great-grandchildren: Haley, Athena, Samantha, Teagan, Kendall, Levi, Evan, Christopher; great-great-granddaughter, Daisy Nicole; sister, Eugenia Smith of Carlsbad, NM; brother, Bud Davis of Portland, Oregon; sister-in-law, Nita Brannan and husband, Carl; brothers-in-law, Robert C. Goad, Ken Goad and wife, Delores and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers will be Ron Jones, Carl Brannan, Mike Brannan, Dan Walker, Tim Kelly and Edgar Magby. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Goad, Joe Goad, Bobby Walker and Eldon King. Memorial contributions may be made to Charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.