Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff III, 70, died at his home in Lampasas on June 4, 2026.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 20 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service.
Sam was born on Dec. 6, 1955, in Houston to Samuel Hillyard Shurtleff Jr. and Glen Rose (Callahan) Shurtleff.
He grew up in Waco 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, where he earned a degree in biology. While there, he met the love of his life, Vicki.
After graduating, Sam began his career as a math teacher with Copperas Cove ISD, where he worked for 30 years. During that time, he also managed the family ranch near Izoro.
After his retirement from CCISD, Sam joined Camber Corp. 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 Aug. 26, 1978, in Stephenville. Together they shared nearly 48 years of marriage.
A member of Central Christian Church, Sam served as worship leader for many years until his health no longer allowed him to continue. He was also a 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 worked 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 wife, Vicki Shurtleff of Lampasas; sons James Glen Shurtleff and partner Eliese of Lampasas, and Robert Allan Shurtleff and fiancée Shauna Madaris of Lampasas; granddaughter, Summer Tally and husband Luke of Comanche; and many extended family members.
Memorial donations may be made to Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219.
