Orian Samuel (Sam) Brister Jr.

ORIAN SAMUEL (SAM) BRISTER JR., 89, of North Little Rock, went to be with his heavenly father on April 1, 2015. Sam was born in Yoakum, Texas on Aug. 23, 1925 to Bessie and Orian Brister Sr. He grew up in the south Texas towns of Corpus Christi, Floresville and Kingsville. He married Dolores Evelyn Allen on June 25, 1949 in Kingsville. They were married for 61 years. Sam was a Merchant Mariner for five years, joining the United States Maritime Service and going on his first convoy in 1943. He made several trips carrying supplies and munitions overseas during World War II. Sam loved to build things with his hands. He first learned how houses were built by tearing down old farm houses during The Great Depression with his dad. He received a Journeyman's Carpenter Card when he was just 16. After his time at sea, Sam spent many years traveling the country as a builder. He had a sheetrock business in the central Arkansas area for 20 years. Sam, known as Papaw to his family, enjoyed teaching the word of God. He loved to talk about Jesus with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Walter Orian Brister and wife, Priscilla Brister, and Jewel Brister Thompson, all of North Little Rock; his grandchildren, Honey and Michael Pena of Corpus Christi, Jennifer and Kristan Stuart, Carrie Eison, Nathan Thompson, JR Brister, Salena and Alex Lopez, Amber and Patrick Eaton, and BJ Thompson, all of North Little Rock; 16 great-grandchildren; his sister Andrea Ragland and husband, Charles Ragland, and family, of North Little Rock; and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; his first great-grandson, Jesse Fortner-Eison; and his two brothers, Bobby and George Brister, and sister, Jewel Michna. Visitation services will be held at Huson's in Sherwood Monday April 6 from 6-8 p.m. with graveside services at Eastlawn Cemetery in Marshall, Ark Tuesday April 7 at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Tyler Stuart, Max Fortner, Nathan Thompson, BJ Thompson, JR Brister and Patrick Eaton. Sign an online guest book at www.husonfuneralhome.com.