Samuel Worthington Renshaw

Decatur ~ Samuel Worthington Renshaw Jr., 95, went to be with our Lord Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in Fort Worth.

Funeral is 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2018 at First United Methodist Church with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur. 

Dr. Brian Bosworth will officiate. Pallbearers include Roy Eaton, Brett Shannon, Stephen Wren, Russell Shults, Mark Shults and Stan Shults. 

Sam was born on May 20, 1923 to Samuel and Pearl (Elder) Renshaw in Decatur, Texas. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1941. He then attended North Texas Agricultural College on a basketball scholarship and was a member of the ROTC.   He joined the United States Marines in 1943 as a radio operator and served in the South Pacific during World War II.  He graduated from TWC on a basketball scholarship with a major in physical education and a minor in education in 1948.  He married Thelma Jo Wren on April 2, 1947 in Decatur.  In 1948, Sam joined the National Guard where he was promoted to Captain and was made Commander of Company C155 Tank Battalion. He served the Wise County community as a teacher and coach in Bridgeport, a volunteer fireman, Secretary Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, and City Secretary of Decatur for 34 years.  His honors include:  Citizen of the Year, City Secretary of the Year, President of the Booster Club,  General Superintendent of the Wise County Youth Fair, President of the Texas City Association of City Clerks, and President of the Lions Club.  Sam was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur where he served as an usher for 63 years, Chairman of the Finance Committee for many years, and lay speaker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sara Elizabeth, and brother Lute.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 71 years, Thelma “Sis” Renshaw of Decatur; his son, Sam and wife Kay of Richardson; his daughters, Donna Harrison and husband George of Arlington, Becky Lyles of Decatur; his granddaughters, Kristy, Lori, Liz, and Megan; his great grandchildren, Jace, Cade, and Brayden; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

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