Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone, 79, of Amarillo, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 24, 2026 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Chris Downer officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Brooks Chapel.

Sam was born on November 23, 1946 in Memphis, Texas to Jake and Lillie Tom (Davis) LaGrone, and his family moved to Amarillo in 1952. He attended Bowie Junior High School and completed his sophomore year at Amarillo High School. Once Caprock High School was built, he attended his last two years there, graduating in 1965. He was known for his charismatic personality and was voted captain of the football team, class president, president of the student body, and class favorite. He was also a member of the debate team and active in musicals, qualifying for state in both. He then attended West Texas State University for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Vietnam.

After the service, Sam worked for the Canyon Police Department before attending the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1971. He worked for LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Ruidoso, and Roswell, NM before becoming a well-known realtor in Roswell for many years. He sold preneed insurance and later worked as funeral director in Roswell, and after returning to Amarillo in 2010, he continued working in preneed insurance sales.

Sam connected easily with people, and while in Roswell, he served as president of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce and was also Mayor of Roswell from 2007-2009. He was a Mason and a member of the Roswell Red Coats, Roswell Rotary Club, and was an honorary member of the New Mexico Amigos where he received honors from President George W. Bush for his service.

Sam was saved at the age of 16, and he joined Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in Clarendon. His faith was always of utmost importance to him. He loved watching sports, particularly college football and was an avid University of Texas Longhorn fan. He also enjoyed watching and playing golf, following the Dallas Cowboys, and playing cards and dominoes with friends. Family was his greatest passion, and he cherished spending time with his grandchildren. He also looked forward to his regular Thursday lunches with friends and family.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jerry, Brack, and Odell LaGrone, three sisters, Nancy LaGrone, Billie Jo Johnson, and Laura Hill, a granddaughter, Gianna Marie Bundy, and a special nephew, Gary Reed.

Survivors include his son, Troy A. Smith and wife, Lyquetta of Lafayette, LA; two daughters, Dr. Stacie S. Morgan of Amarillo and Dr. Jennifer L. Bundy and husband, Bryan of Scottsdale, AZ; five grandchildren whom he adored, Skylar Smith, Marak Morgan, Cole Morgan, Natalie Bundy, and Anthony Bundy; brother, Tommy LaGrone and wife, Louise of Amarillo; sister, Cora LaGrone of Amarillo; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be to Disabled American Veterans, https://helpdav.org or Tunnel to Towers, T2T.org.