Burch, Samuel Roy

6/3/2009

Aug. 10, 1922 - June 3, 2009

Sam was born in Oil City , Louisiana to Horace Allen and Lessie Kyle Burch the day the city burned down. He was raised, graduated from high school, and met our Mother, Janie Squyres in Oil City . He married the love of his life in the Oil City Methodist Church by Rev. Rex Squyres, after serving in the United States Marine Corp during WWII.

They had four daughters, Sammie, Shirley, Sue and Sandra in four years. Our Dad was a “hands on Dad”, washing and brushing our hair, dressing us on Sunday morning for Sunday School and Church, always keeping our shoes clean and shining, and our finger nails clean. He took four toddlers to church even when Mom couldn't go, walking and riding the trolley, in Shreveport to Cedar Grove UMC.

He and Mom were always active in the United Methodist Church , serving in almost every position possible, including serving as Louisiana Conference Secretaries of Mission. They not only spread the word throughout the state, they actively served as volunteers all over the US , Mexico , Haiti , Alaska , and Africa . They served for over a year at Red Bird Mission, where Dad served meals-on-wheels and did any and everything he was asked and a whole lot more. Their other passion was United Methodist Camping. They attended UM Camp Leaders Gatherings all over the US , were strong supporters and volunteers at Mt. Sequoyah , and especially Uskichitto Retreat Center . They participated as organizers of volunteer work groups and camping events, counselors, helped build the Director's residence, and helped organize and cook for the monthly Fish Fry. Dad continued to volunteer at Mt. Sequoyah and Uskichitto and attended Camp Leaders events in Colorado and Arkansas after our Mother died in 2000. He even spent two summers at Uskichitto, cooking and having a great time with the campers. The campers told him he was the “best cook ever”. They loved his roast, brisket and fried fish.

He was especially proud of his country and he and mom took all 14 of their grandchildren on summer camping vacations to Washington DC and taught them American history and geography going and coming. They even made sure to attend church in Historical United Methodist Churches along the way.

Dad's favorite hymn, Others , in the Cokesbury Hymnal, was always sung on “hymn-sing” Sunday nights at Westlake UMC because he always requested it. “Others, Lord, yes, others, Let this my motto be, Help me to live for others, that I may live like Thee.” And HE DID just that!

He is survived by his four daughters, their husbands, fourteen grand children, and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
Source: Louisiana Conference Journal, 2010