Sammie James Stanaland Sr., 76, of Phil Campbell, passed away Sept. 24 at his residence.

Sammie was born Feb. 25, 1945, to Arnett Lee and Audrey May Stanaland in Texarkana, Texas. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years. He served in the Vietnam War, Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis, peacetime and the Gulf War era. He was highly decorated and was honorably discharged as a chief master sergeant.

Sammie excelled in everything he did. He was a very talented carpenter, ran a very successful upholstery shop and enjoyed being a private pilot. He was a 32nd degree Mason in the Spruce Pine Lodge.

More than anything, he loved his wife, children and grandchildren, and he leaves them many wonderful memories.

A graveside service will be at noon Sept. 29 at Colbert Memorial Gardens in Tuscumbia. Officiating will be Bro. David Little, and the service will include Masonic Rites and military honors.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arnett Lee and Audrey May (Ivie) Stanaland, and sisters, Arnetta Seay, Marjorie Boyler and infant sister Sharon Stanaland.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 57 years, Vivian Stanaland; sons, Arnett Lee Stanaland II (Kathryn), Sammie James Stanaland Jr. (Kathy) and Travis Laine Stanaland Sr. (Patricia); grandchildren, Arnett Lee Stanaland III, Amber Nicole Stanaland, Kaithlyn Danielle Stanaland, Sammie James Stanaland III, Bailey Brooke Stanaland, William Levi Stanaland, Travis Laine Stanaland Jr., Utah Allen Stanaland and Tyler Harper (Brooklyn); great-grandchildren, Remington Colt Kotta Stanaland, Aiden Harper and Olivia Harper; brother, David Stanaland; sister, Marvalee Black; and several nieces and nephews.

The pallbearers will be the grandsons. Honorary pallbearer will be Levi Stanaland.

The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, first responders and the Franklin County coroner for the care shown to our family.

Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family. To have us sign the book for you, please free to call, or to leave private condolences, visit our website at www.sprymemorialchapel.com.