Sam Salvador Barranco, 89, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013. He was born on August 6, 1924, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Santina and Frank Barranco.

Sam lost his mom when he was only eighteen months old due to tuberculosis. He then moved to Beaumont with his dad and was raised by many wonderful loved ones who included, his grandma, Josephine Barranco, as well as aunts and uncles. Sam spent many summers in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with his grandmother, Rose Battaglia. He grew up on Cartwright with his sister, JoAnn Barranco, and then later bought a home on Rockwell with his wife, Ann.

Sam worked with his father in the family owned Boulevard Grocery on Washington Boulevard until he entered the United States Army at age 18. He served in World War II, including D Day, June 6th, 1944, Invasion of Normandy.

While on leave, he met the girl of his dreams, Ann Marchese, while skating at Bay Ridge Roller Rink in Brooklyn, New York, where Ann grew up. Sam loved to tell how he met Ann. While skating, he tripped her so they could meet and that solider enjoyed many home cooked meals. He would bring her flowers he had picked from the house around the corner, and he would tell Ann he had "oil wells and horses in Texas", however, they belonged to the people in another yard. After proudly serving his country, they married on December 30, 1945. Sam would always say, "he was the best thing that ever happened to Ann", with a wink and a smile.

After his father’s death, he continued to work in the family grocery store until the property was sold. At that time, he began working as an insurance salesman for American National Insurance.  Sam later opened and operated grocery stores at other locations until around 1972.  At that time, he and Ann began a new adventure in the bakery business with Southern Maid Donuts. Later they opened and operated their family owned Barranco’s Bakery & Donut Shop featuring their one-of-a-kind square donuts and assorted pastries that were sold in many convenience stores. He also made bread for several local restaurants and the St Joseph Alters for over thirty-five years until retirement at the age of eighty due to Sam’s health problems attributed by diabetes. He and Ann raised four daughters, Sandy, Chris, Diane, and Carol.

Sam enjoyed working and looked forward to visiting with friends and customers who came into the bakery each day for the occasional "story", donut, and coffee. He never met a stranger. Sam was a fun, generous person who loved people and enjoyed giving. He would often help families who were in need.

Sam was an usher at St Pius and helped with bingo and anything else needed. He also was involved with the American Italian Society and the local Lions Club.

He and Ann worked together side by side in their businesses throughout their entire marriage, just shy of sixty-eight years. He was a bit of a perfectionist and loved to organize; he also enjoyed relaxing on the patio, reading the paper, and drinking coffee. He and Ann enjoyed going to dances, playing penny poker, and the casinos with their friends and family.

Survivors include his daughters, Christine “Chris” Thompson and her husband, Richard, of Austin; Diane Duplechain and her husband, Ronnie; Carol Ann Sanders and her husband, Robert III, all of Lumberton; and adopted mother of Damian Rose Benham of North Richland Hills; grandchildren, Damian and Amy Barranco of Haltom City, Brandi and Tommy Smith of Warren, Jason and Robin Duplechain of Kountze, Brittany, Bailey, and Brooklyn Broussard, and Brooke, Mary, and Madison Sanders, all of Lumberton; great-grandchildren, Dustin and Taylor of Silsbee, Dillon and Crystal, Drake and Dallas of Warren, Jeanene “Nina”, Gage, Riley, and Shelby of Kountze, and Hanna of Haltom City; great-great-grandchildren, Benton Levi of Warren and Jaxon of Silsbee; and sister, JoAnn Hedington of Beaumont.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Ann; and his daughter, Santina “Sandy” Barranco.

We would like to sincerely thank our extended family for being so wonderful and all of Sam’s loyal, amazing, caring friends who often called and came by to visit, showing their love and devotion to him throughout his life. You all meant so very much to him and to our family. He always looked forward to seeing each and every one of you. We would also like to thank Summer Place, Beaumont and Professional Home Hospice for their kindness and loving care.

Sam was a blessing in all of our lives, and he will be greatly missed.