Larry Leon Sams

Larry Leon Sams, 74, passed away on September 21, 2017 on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Born to Howard L. Sams and Flora “Louise” Kelley Sams on August 5, 1943, Larry grew up in Weaverville, North Carolina. Larry excelled in school, graduating from North Buncombe High School in 1961. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting at Georgia State University in 1972. During his first career, Larry worked as an accountant, auditor, or as a comptroller for many large companies, including the Marietta Daily Journal. His love of the real estate business began while he was comptroller for a local cemetery. Larry embarked on a second career and went on to become a top seller of real estate and a real estate broker for Ackerman Realty. Having a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Larry formed his own real estate company – Dixieland Realty, Inc. Larry developed and maintained strong Christian values during his life. He and his family were founding members of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Acworth, Georgia, and later he was ordained as a Presbyterian Elder. Throughout his life, Larry loved automobiles, especially when they were racing on a short track. He emceed many races as the “Jumper Cable Man.” He also authored many articles for race fans about local tracks and drivers, and for a short time Larry published a racing magazine called Racing and Performance Motorsports. He worked closely with both sprint car circuits, USCS and ASCS. Until his death Larry was editor of the Pioneer Pages for the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and wrote weekly articles for the Pickens Progress newspaper. Larry loved driving around St. Simon’s Island in his white 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Larry Leon Sams was preceded in death by his parents Howard L. and Louise Sams. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mersia “Bunny” Bloodworth Sams, his daughters and their husbands, Robin Sams Gant and Timothy M. Gant, Sr., Rebecca Sams Murray and Scott B. Murray, Kimberly Nell Stacy and Randy Stacy, his grandchildren, Mersia Ada Gant Martin (Kenneth), Timothy Michael Gant, Jr. (Rachel), Dylan Scott Murray, Samantha Morgan Murray, Maegan Stacy, and Joshua Stacy, and his great grandchildren, Jason Frederick Gant and Raven Victoria Gant, and his brothers Ronnie Sams (Zoe), Terry Sams, and Jerry Sams. Services will be held at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick, Georgia on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 3:30 PM. Visitation will take place 2:30 PM at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at West Memorial Park in Weaverville, North Carolina at 2:00 PM with Rev. Tom Cox of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church officiating. The family asks donations be made to the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Sams’ obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.