Sammy was the son of Bill and Francis Owens, born on July 21, 1942 in Temple, Texas at the Santa Fe Hospital. He was raised in Brownwood, where he was heavily involved and had a deep love for Baseball. He played baseball from a young age all the way through his High School years.

After graduating, Sammy joined the U.S. Navy, and served aboard the U.S.S Coral Sea, and in Vietnam. After his time in the U.S. Navy, Sammy played Shortstop for the Kansas City A’s, before they became the Oakland A’s. After a short stint in baseball, Sammy went on to work for the Santa Fe Railroad for many years, until he left to become a over the road truck driver for the rest of his working years, until his retirement. Sammy also had a deep love for music, and played the guitar and sang all of his life.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife Lynda Owens; son Terry Lee Laird; daughter Angie Whitely Lanningham; brother Tommy Owens and sister Melissa Owens Anderson.

Sammy is survived by his son Patrick Laird of Brownwood, TX; son Kevin Bond of Comanche, TX; daughter Merci Whitely of Austin, TX; son Damon Whitely of Georgia; his is also survived by his sister Patricia Daniel of Kempner, TX and his brother William C. Owens of Kempner, TX.

Sammy’s services are provided by Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas.