Samuel Lee Furo Sr.

Samuel "Sammy" Lee Furo Sr., 89, of Hot Springs, went to be with the Lord on June 28, 2016. He was born December 23, 1926 in Alexandria, Louisiana to John and Lucy Furo. He is predeceased by his parents, grandson, Leon Catlett, and sisters, Dorothy Haney, Mary Landon and Diane Stimson. Sammy was a devoted member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church where he graciously served as greeter for more than 40 year. He was a Navy Veteran and served during World War II on the battleship USS Monterey. He received the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Philippines Operations Medal. Sammy was an amazing athlete. While at Smackover High School he led the nation in scoring. Exact statistics were not kept in his day, but when you consider only his touchdown run yardage, he accounted for a minimum of 3,633 rushing yards. In reality it was much more. Sammy was honored to be the first All American selected at Magnolia A&M (now Southern Arkansas University). The oldest football record at SAU was set in 1948 when Sammy returned a punt for 80 yards for a touchdown. The record lasted for 50 years. Sammy was inducted into SAU's Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Sammy transferred to the University of Arkansas for his final two seasons, lettering with the Razorbacks in 1949 and 1950. His love of sports continued as he coached at the YMCA, the Boys and the Girls Club. He was also a member of the Sertoma Club. Loving survivors include his wife of 46 years, Kay Furo, of Hot Springs; son, Sam Furo Jr., of Searcy; son, Adam Furo, of Hot Springs; daughter, Patricia (Steve) Leovich, of Plano, Texas; daughter, Carol (Ken) Fisher, of Plano, Texas; daughter, Amy (Chris) Horner, of Hot Springs; grandchildren: Parker Leovich, Aaron fisher, Kasey Fisher, Katherine Horner, Christopher Horner, Max Horner and Mason Furo; sisters, Maxine (Warren) Staab, of Miraloma, California and Maryann Elliott of Phoenix, Arizona. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Saturday at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. The memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. with Rev. David Fleming officiating. The family would like to thank Dr. Greg Whorton and his nurse, Linda, Lakewood Health and Rehabilitation Center and Dierksen Hospice for their love and care. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, the Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club or The Caring Place. Guest register is www.caruth-hale.com.