Samuel “Sam” Houston
March 2, 1956 – July 26, 2026

Samuel “Sam” Houston, 70, of Keller, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 26, 2026, surrounded by his family and under the care of CANA Hospice of Texas.

Sam was born on March 2, 1956, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton Houston. Following the death of his father, Sam moved with his mother and siblings to eastern Tennessee, where the family established a new home near Maryville.

Independent and adventurous from an early age, Sam developed a lifelong appreciation for history, literature, and the people he encountered throughout his travels. As a young man, he spent several formative years living among the Cherokee people and formed a particularly close relationship with Chief Oolooteka, who regarded Sam as family. He was given the Cherokee name Colonneh, meaning “The Raven,” a name that would remain associated with him throughout his life. His experiences during those years shaped a lasting respect for the Cherokee people and influenced his later efforts to promote peaceful relations between Native communities and settlers.

Sam answered the call to military service as a young man, enlisting in the United States Army. He served with distinction under General Andrew Jackson and fought at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, where he was severely wounded in combat. Despite suffering multiple wounds, including a serious injury to his shoulder that affected him for the remainder of his life, Sam’s courage earned the respect of his fellow soldiers and commanders. His military service became one of the defining experiences of his early life.

After leaving active military service, Sam studied law and began a career that eventually led him into public service. He served as a prosecutor, represented Tennessee in the United States Congress, and later became governor of Tennessee.

Texas, however, would become the place most closely associated with Sam’s life and legacy.

After making his way to Texas, Sam quickly became involved in the movement that would ultimately lead to Texas independence. He was chosen to serve as commander of the Texas Army and led Texian forces during the Texas Revolution. On April 21, at the Battle of San Jacinto, the army under his command defeated the forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna in a decisive engagement that helped secure Texas independence. Sam himself was wounded during the battle.

Following independence, Sam was elected president of the Republic of Texas and would ultimately serve two terms in that office. He worked to strengthen the young republic, improve its finances, pursue annexation by the United States, and encourage peaceful relations with Native peoples.

When Texas entered the Union, Sam continued his public service as one of the state's first United States senators. He later returned home and was elected governor of Texas, making him one of the few individuals in American history to serve as governor of two different states.

Throughout the final years of his political career, Sam remained deeply devoted to the preservation of the United States. Although his position was often unpopular, he opposed Texas secession and refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. His willingness to stand by his convictions, even at significant personal and political cost, remained characteristic of the independent spirit with which he lived his life.

Behind the soldier and statesman was a husband and father who treasured his family. Sam shared a long and devoted marriage with Margaret Moffette Lea Houston, whose faith and influence were an important part of his life. Together they raised eight children and built a family whose history became deeply intertwined with that of Texas.

Sam is survived by his children, Sam Houston Jr.; Nancy Elizabeth Houston Morrow; Margaret Lea Houston; Mary William Houston; Antoinette Power Houston; Andrew Jackson Houston; William Rogers Houston; and Temple Lea Houston; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Moffette Lea Houston, and his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Paxton Houston.

Sam will be remembered for a life marked by courage, determination, public service, devotion to Texas, and an unwavering willingness to stand for his convictions. His journey carried him from the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee to military battlefields, the halls of government, and ultimately the state whose history would forever bear his influence.

The family will receive friends for visitation at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, Texas.

A funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.

A committal service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, where Sam will be laid to rest with full military honors in recognition of his service to his country.