Sammy Joe Drinkard passed on from this life on September 17, 2026, in Plano, Texas, at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 12, 1942, in the Messer, Oklahoma bottoms, the son of Arvie Drinkard and Ora Velma Braddy. Sam was preceded in death by his parents.

Sam spent most of his life in Choctaw county. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves for 21 years until his honorable discharge. Sam also retired from Campbell Soup in Paris, Texas, where he worked for many years and he made many lifelong friends during his time there.

Sam loved to ride his horses and mules. He had many good horses and even a good mule or two throughout his life. Many of his family and friends will remember Buck, Firefly, Ol' Dunny and Dumplings. It didn't matter if they were competing or just riding, everyone knew Sam and his grey mare Dumplings were a pair to be reconned with!

Sam was an avid hunter, whether he was hunting squirrels, racoons or deer; he usually brought home the meat. He didn't care about killing the most or biggest. Sam would shoot a good buck, but a spike better not walk out first. He would often talk about squirrel hunting with his grandpa and Shorty the squirrel dog. He even had a few good coon hounds like his walker dog, Brandon, and quite a few that were just hounds. He enjoyed shooting and was a great marksman. Sam shot cowboy action, 22 bench rest, and even himself. Oh yeah, he was playing gunfighter and shot himself in the leg practicing his fast draw. Of course that was back in his younger days! He had an ongoing competition with his son, Bubba to see who could get the best scores in their 22-bench rest.  They both got their first perfect score of 2500 on the same day! That was something he was very proud of.

Sam was only married once but he loved her more than he ever let on. He and Melissa Teague Drinkard had a son, who was his only ambition. Sam was so proud of the man he raised. Sammy Jr (Bubba) was truly the light of his life. That is until Bubba married Melissa. In Sam's eyes she could do no wrong. Then came Anna, from the very beginning she had him wrapped around her tiny finger. Sam was always her biggest fan. But above all he loved his family. Family for Sam wasn't just blood; he had a multitude of family that he met along his path. Each one was special to him. He loved his sisters and brothers-in-laws and had many stories about the memories they shared. Sam had three nieces who he loved like they were his own. Even if it was when he was whooping them for jumping out in front of cars as a game. Sam never named a favorite but if you asked them each one was his favorite. Then came all the little nephews. You might say he spoiled them, but he would just say they needed it.  But he was especially proud of his granddaughter Anna, or Baby girl as he called her, especially when he wanted her to do something.

Sam is survived by his loving family; son Sammy "Bubba" Drinkard and wife, Melissa; granddaughter, Anna Drinkard; sisters, Linda "Sudie" Ball and Darlene "Sissy" Hurtt and husband, Roland along with many other family friends and loved ones.