Samuel Richard “Sammy” Arthur was born on May, 7, 1943 in Lake Wales, Florida, to Fenley and Maggie Arthur. He started working for Publix at age 16 and worked there for 31 years. Every store he worked in was one of George Jenkin’s private stores. He retired as a Produce Manager at 49 years old.
Sam enlisted in the US Army in 1964 and served for 3 years. He was a crew chief on a helicopter mechanical crew in Germany during his service. When he got out of the Army, he met and married “the prettiest girl in Polk County,” Patricia Leverette Arthur.
When he retired from Publix, Sam began driving a school bus for Polk County School Corporation and drove for 15 years. When he wasn’t driving the bus, he worked at Mountain Ridge Citrus where he picked fresh fruit and made juice.
Sam and Pat were married for 56 years. They began their life together for a short time in Bartow then moved to Winter Haven for 10 years. They then moved to Lake Wales, where they lived for 30 years and raised two amazing sons, Michael and Chad. In 2007, Sam and Pat moved to Blue Ridge, Georgia. Lake Wales called them back in 2021, and they have resided in Oakwood Community ever since.
Sam had a love for the Lord that was evident to all who met him. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at a young age at Westside Baptist church. Sam was a Deacon and member of the building committee and several other committees at Golfview Baptist Church then First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. When he moved to Blue Ridge, he was an active member of Epworth Baptist Church where he served in the Happy Hearts Senior Ministry, and sang in the church choir and as a member of the Jordanairs 2 quartet. When he came back to Lake Wales, Sam returned to First Baptist Lake Wales. Sam shared his love of Jesus with all he met – whether it was his waitress, the lawn guy or the man he hired to paint his house. He was going to be sure that everyone had the opportunity to learn about Jesus.
Sam loved fishing, gardening, golfing, hiking, traveling with his wife and friends, watching cowboy movies and YouTube, and reading. When he lived in Georgia, he took up hiking and hiked part of the AT Trail. When he was not spending time with his wife, friends, and sons, Sam loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids – from watching sports and school programs, attending graduations, teaching them to drive stick shift, babysitting, playing taxi, or just loving on them. Pepaw was loved by all of his grands and even the “grands” he gained through friendships. Sam would go on and on about the many blessings in his life. He truly felt blessed by the Lord in all areas, especially his family life.
Sam left this earth for his Heavenly home on Tuesday, Dec. 17 while at Good Shepherd’s Forsythe Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Gail Tew, and his brother, Sonny Arthur. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Arthur; his son, Michael (Jeanine); his son, Chad (Laura); 8 grandchildren – Megan Allen (Dalton), Jacob Arthur, Josh Arthur (Daisy), Kyle Arthur, Cole Arthur, Kate Arthur, Madison Arthur, and Jordan Arthur; and 5 great-grandchildren – Wynn and Wade Allen, Finley Arthur, and Remington and Melanie Arthur.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales.
