Samuel "Stumblin' Sam" McCord

Samuel Ray McCord, 85, of Campbell, Texas, passed away at his home on Sunday, October 14, 2018.  He was born in Amherst, Texas on February 23, 1933, the son of James Samuel McCord and Johnnie Ray Wood McCord.  The family will receive friends at a visitation on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Commerce Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Commerce with Joel Shelton officiating.  Interment will be at Rosemound Cemetery.   

Sam attended high school in Wilmer Hutchins, Texas graduating in 1951.  Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Hood during the Korean War.   He then attended Paris Junior College, where he earned a scholarship to play quarterback on the football team for head coach, Earnest Hawkins.  Sam McCord (along with coach Earnest Hawkins) transferred to East Texas State University on scholarship to play for Head Coach J.V. Sikes.  From 1957-1959, “Stumblin’ Sam” McCord led the ETSU Lions to a record of 28-3-0 culminating in a win at the “Tangerine Bowl” in Florida earning  Most Valuable Player honors and was named as Associated Press first team All American.   Following college, Sam was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and traded to the Oakland Raiders. 

In the 60’s, Samuel McCord coached at Jacksonville and Clarksville, Texas before returning to East Texas State University to coach alongside head coach, Earnest Hawkins.  Committed to his University, Sam continued his career at ETSU accepting the position of Chief of Traffic Safety and Security where he continued to receive accolades as a leader.  Ultimately, Samuel Ray McCord finished his professional career as the Alumni Director for the university.   Samuel retired from his formal work at East Texas State in 1992 but remained a loyal supporter for the remainder of his life.

Sam is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Barba Lane; his sisters Barbara Ann and Maxine, his four children, Lynn McCord (Debby), Carla Hancock (Jackson), Michael McCord (Rena) and Mindy Gallegos (Miguel); eight grandchildren, Mallory Batio (Jon), Cody Hancock, Casey Hancock (Meghan), Cade Hancock, Darien McCord, Tara McCord, Brooke McCord and Elizabeth McCord; five great grandchildren, Carys, Mackenzie, Mason, Isabella and Jasmine.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, James and Johnnie Ray McCord and his brother, Weldon McCord.

Serving as pallbearers for Sam are Michael McCord, Jon Batio, Miguel Gallegos, Eddie Vowell, Paul Zelhart and Jackson Hancock.

In lieu of flowers, the McCord family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice, or to the Sam and Barba McCord Endowment Fund.  If giving to the Endowment Fund by mail, make checks payable to TAMUC Foundation and note “McCord” in the memo field.   Mail to TAMUC Foundation, PO Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429-3425.  Online giving is also available at www.tamuc.edu/give.   The Sam and Barba McCord Endowment is listed as one of the current initiatives. 

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