- Date Of Birth: May 29, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 22, 2012
- State: Texas
Samuel Sawyer Stollenwerck passed away peacefully on May 22, 2012 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was born May 29, 1932 to Logan Henry Stollenwerck, Sr. and Ruth Sawyer Stollenwerck. Raised in Waxahachie, Sam entered Southern Methodist University on an athletic scholarship in 1950, joining elder brother Henry on the Mustang football team. The brothers were the first second-generation players for the Ponies.
While attending SMU, Sam met the love of his life, Carol Ellison. Sam and Carol married in Tyler on November 25, 1955. After a tour of duty as an officer in the United States Air Force, Sam received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1959. He served Dallas County as an Assistant District Attorney under Henry Wade before entering private practice. He was a longtime partner in Stollenwerck, Moore and Silverberg, a Dallas-based firm specializing in real estate law. Known for his integrity, persistence and humility, Sam was a member of the State Bar of Texas for over 45 years. He retired from the practice of law in 2005, earned his real estate license and worked with Briggs Freeman Real Estate Brokerage until he retired in 2008.
Steadfast in his faith, Sam was raised Methodist and in adulthood was a 30-year member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, a charter member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and in his final years, enjoyed membership in Highland Park United Methodist Church. Sam served his community in a number of supportive and leadership roles. He served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utility District and on the Zoning Committee of the Town of Highland Park. He was a past president of Dallas Country Club and also served on the club’s Board of Governors. He was a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club and a life member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Sam acted as attorney for The Cotton Bowl for many years, and served on its Board of Directors for more than three decades, where he enjoyed scouting bowl prospects in his role on the Selection Committee. Until recently, Sam and Carol volunteered regularly for the VNA’s Meals on Wheels program.
An avid sportsman, Sam loved quail hunting with friends in West Texas, post-holiday hunts with his sons, annual fishing trips and vacations with dear friends and family in Gunnison, Colorado, and observing the opening of dove season at the family farm near Hillsboro. Golf was a 50-year passion which culminated in a golf tour of Ireland four years ago. Sam was a true gentleman–a gracious, kind and humble man who always put others first. Faith, family and friends were truly the heart of his life. He treasured the close relationships he shared with his wife, four children and grandchildren and many of his deep friendships spanned from his college years. A mentor and confidante to many professionally and personally, Sam’s insights, humor and gentle clap on the back will be missed by all who knew him.
The family expresses thanks to devoted caregiver Lucia Delgado for the comfort and kindness provided over the past 18 months and Dr. Mark Armstrong for years of dedicated care and friendship.
