Samuel Neail Boothe was born at home in the Avant Community of Atascosa County TX on February 15, 1942 to James Thomas and Martha Ophelia (Paul) Boothe. He passed away peacefully on August 9, 2024 at the age of 82.  It was said the doctor could not get across the low water crossing because of rain so his father took the tractor and picked up the doctor at the crossing. Sam was raised as the son of a dirt farmer and enjoyed the country life. His maternal grandparents immigrated from Germany and he was very proud of his German heritage.

He attended Christine school, and when they closed, he went to Jourdanton, and later transferred and graduated from Charlotte School all in TX. Many years later he graduated from Eastern Kentucky University.

Sam joined the U.S. Navy in November, 1963. While in the Navy during 1965-1966 he was stationed aboard the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. During this time, he went to many different countries. (France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Lebanon) While on the Forrestal he was the engineer of the captain's boat. Sam finished his enlistment in November, 1967. Upon discharge he returned to Jourdanton, Texas.

On February 20, 1965, Sam met the love of his life, Eva Rachel (EvaRae) Bowles on a blind date. Thirteen days later they decided to marry and had a large church wedding on April 16, 1965. One month later they were on the road to Portsmouth, Virginia to Sam's new duty location. Sam and EvaRae were married 59 years.

His pride and joy was his family. He had two sons, Dustin Neail Boothe and Clayton Neail Boothe. He coached each of his sons in sports, taught them to hunt and fish and to be hard workers. Every moment not spent at work was spent with his family, both at home and church. Sam was a deacon and he was very devoted and active in both families. He was ordained as a deacon in June of 1975.

Sam was a diesel mechanic for large equipment from 1968 until June, 1970 when he went to work as a mechanic at the laundry at Fort Sam Houston Texas. He moved up through the ranks and later retired as Manager, supervising the laundries at Fort Sam Houston and Fort Hood simultaneously.

Sam was talked into volunteering as a coach long before he had a child to participate. He coached teams in multiple leagues and sports for nearly 20 years, some years having two teams in different age groups playing at the same time. He mainly coached football, but also coached basketball, baseball, and even soccer. Over the years he treated all kids the same, no matter their ability.

Some of the happiest times were time spent in McMullen County visiting with his sister, brother-in-law and their family and friends (always watching old westerns). He also loved to Bar-B-Que for special events in the lives of family and friends. His specialty was brisket which he enjoyed serving to everyone.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Norman Edgar Boothe; sisters and husbands Jimmy Dell Mikolajczyk Lawson & Emmett Mikolajczyk Sr., and William Lawson; Bobbie Rae Swaim & Rodney Swaim, Jr.

He was survived by his wife EvaRae Boothe; sons Dustin (Olivia) Boothe, and Clayton (Jill) Boothe; grandchildren Garrett (Kaia) Boothe, Kasey Wade, Paige Boothe, Manuel Cintron, Marcus Cintron and Eoghan Roe Alfarano; great granddaughters May Lynn Boothe and Kynix Wade; many cousins, nephews, and nieces, other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary. A funeral service with military honors will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, a 11 a.m. at McQueeney Baptist Church with the Reverend Dale Jones officiating. A reception will follow. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Serving as pallbearers will be Garrett Boothe, Kasey Wade, Kevin Bowles, Rob Swaim, Marcus Cintron, Manuel Cintron, Justin Boothe, and Rusty Gardiner. Honorary pallbearers will be Murray Swaim, Wayne Swaim, Emmett Mikolajczyk Jr., William Boothe, Billy Boothe, and Bill Langenberg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McQueeney Baptist Church Building Fund, 201 Schumann Road, McQueeney, Texas 78123.