Sam Renfro

Sam "Sonny" Renfro, longtime resident of Ralston, went to be with The Lord on Monday, July 20, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Sam was 82 years of age.

He was born March 25, 1933 in Pawnee, the son of Sammy Marshel Renfro II and Blanche Leona (Douglas) Renfro. He was a 1952 graduate of Ralston High School and also received further education at Oklahoma A&M College. He was married to Shirley Jean Deaton on June 30, 1953. Sam joined the United States Army in July of 1953 and served at Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, in the 607th Field Artillery Battalion. He was honorably discharged in June of 1955.

Sam and Shirley lost two infant children while he was in the service and then were blessed with three children, Vickie in 1956, Sammy "Bo" in 1959 and Gordon in 1964. Shirley passed away in 1978.

He worked in earlier years with his father in custom combine cutting throughout the state and had worked as a bookkeeper for Cameron Oil Company out of Webb City, Oklahoma. Sam also worked for his father for many years at the Renfro Sand and Ready-Mix plant on the Arkansas River at Ralston. Upon his father's retirement in 1989 Sam purchased and operated the plant until his own retirement in 2011.

Sam married Glenda Kay "Susie" Roberts on July 16, 1981 in Fairfax. Susie brought two children into the marriage, Staci and Mike.

Sam was a retired member of the Ralston Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Masonic Lodge of Grayhorse and the Ralston American Legion Post 333. His enjoyments included hunting, fishing, noodling, and spending time with his family and friends. Sam had a knack for saying names backwards and was always reciting his name backwards to others. That name was "Ymmas Lehsram Orfner Roinuj Driht".

Sam is survived by his wife of 34 years, Susie, of the home; mother-in-law Jean Norton, of the home; five children, Vickie Denny and husband Jody, of Blackburn, Sam R. "Bo" Renfro and wife Donna, of Fairfax, Gordon Renfro of Ralston, Mike Roberts and wife Shawana, of Morrison and Staci Bergman and husband David, of Newkirk; one brother, Raymond E. Renfro and wife Monta Lu, of Fairfax; one sister, Ramona Brown of Hominy; 16 grandchildren, Branden and Dustin Denny, Missy Kizziar, Pamela and Samantha Renfro, Jobie and Jacie Renfro, Blaine, Shelbie, Amanda, JJ, Cameron and Ciara Roberts, Tanner, Haydon and Clayton Bergman; 12 great grandchildren, Haylee Irons, Alyssa and Matthew Bush, Ryland Woods and Paiden Rice, Greenly and Braysen Denny, Chayce and Dylan Brink, Elizabeth McLean, Lily Nelson and soon to be Brody Renfro; other nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, extended family and friends. He will also be missed by his great protector, his four legged friend, Willie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Marshel and Blanche; his first wife Shirley; two infant children, Terry Lynn and John Gail Renfro; one sister, Faith Yvonne Renfro.

It was a privilege for his wife Susie and his daughter Vickie to lead Sam to The Lord on December 6, 2011.


Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2015 at the First Osage Baptist Church in Fairfax, with retired First Christian Church pastor George Weston presiding. Interment will follow in the Ralston Riverside Cemetery under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.




Casket bearers are grandsons, Branden Denny, Dustin Denny, Jobie Renfro, Blaine Roberts, Tanner Bergman, Haydon Bergman, Cameron Roberts, Jeremy Roberts and Clayton Bergman. Honorary casket bearers are Donald Lee Wilson, Zack McDaniels, Bill Bennett and Billy Roberts.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sam's name to the Alzheimer Association - Oklahoma, 2448 E. 81st St, Suite 3000, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137

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