Samuel Lake Steffee, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 12, 2025.

Samuel Lake Steffee was born on July 1, 1941, in Palestine, Texas, to Harley Alford Steffee and Lillian Blanche Bigham Steffee. Following his birth, Sam's mother passed away, and he was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Samuel and Mae Bigham.

Sam grew up in Rogers, Texas, and graduated from Rogers High School in 1959. He went on to attend Abilene Christian University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1963. Afterward, he attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned a Master of Public Health degree in Hospital Administration in 1965. After two years in California, Sam was eager to return to Texas and moved to Houston to begin his healthcare career at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

In the fall of 1966, Sam met a cute nurse from TCU, Joyce Carolyn Lawrence, while she was working on 8 Southeast at Methodist Hospital. After a short courtship, Sam and Joyce were married on May 6, 1967, beginning 58 years of devoted marriage. Sam was known for his unique and memorable gift-giving, including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for Joyce's birthday and a club-footed racehorse for Christmas - stories his family never let him forget.

As their family grew to include three children, Sam and Joyce relocated to Richmond, Texas, in 1979, seeking a small-town upbringing for their family. After 24 years at Methodist Hospital, ten of them commuting daily to the Medical Center, Sam accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital, then a Methodist affiliate, in 1989. This role allowed him to deepen his involvement in both his family and the Richmond community. Sam served as President of Lamar Little League and the Lamar Athletic Booster Club where he made many lifelong friendships and memories. He led Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital for 12 years and retired in 2001, concluding a 36-year career in healthcare. In his second act, Sam was active with and served as President of the West Fort Bend American Heart Association; was a substitute teacher at Foster and George Ranch High Schools for over 10 years, and even volunteered with the George Ranch cross country team.

While his children were in high school, Sam formed a lifelong friendship with Walter Kelley while attending Lamar varsity football games with their wives, Joyce and Delores. After the children graduated, the women stopped attending games, but Sam and Kelley continued the tradition for more than 40 years, attending nearly 2,500 games across Texas; football, baseball, basketball, and softball, primarily for LCISD schools. Once Sam and Joyce became grandparents, they never missed a game, program, or awards ceremony.

Sam enjoyed many hobbies, including long-distance running where he was a member of the Terlinqua Running Club. Among his accomplishments were running 3,600 miles in 1975 with 1,673 of those miles alongside his best running buddy Bob Reid; qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon in 2:54.59; and running 40 miles on his 40th birthday. He loved the outdoors and took great pride in breeding and raising quarter horses and cattle on his farm, Steffee's Buy-Owe Ranch, in Chappell Hill, Texas.

In 1991, Sam renewed his relationship with God at Graeber Road Church of Christ in Rosenberg. He found his most gratifying experiences through his volunteer work and service in various capacities at the church.

Sam is survived by his wife, Joyce; his three children, Sarah Steffee Niermeyer, Catherine Steffee Murphy and husband JP, and David Lake Steffee and wife Autumn; and his grandchildren, Jack, Megan, and Sadie Niermeyer; Lilly and Hill Fiser; Lindley and Lakelyn Steffee; step-grandchildren Kelly and Cole Murphy; and cousin John Steffee who was like a brother to him. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Tom Niermeyer; his parents, Harley and Blanche Steffee; his grandparents, Sam and Mae Bigham; and many beloved dogs, including his favorite, Snuggles.

Sam was lovingly cared for by many devoted caregivers at Fort Bend Healthcare Center in Rosenberg as his devastating FTD dementia progressed beyond his family's ability to care for him at home. His family feels deeply blessed that he remained a gentle soul, recognizing each of them and retaining many long-term memories until the end of his life.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, Inc., 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a private family graveside service will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at Graeber Road Church of Christ 1910 Graeber Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471, which all are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Graeber Road Church of Christ or Houston Methodist Hospital's Nantz National Alzheimer Center-FTD programs. Donations can be made here: https://givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/GeneralGivingForm (under "gift designation" select "Program or Initiative" and include "Nantz National Alzheimer Center") or you may mail a check to: Nantz National Alzheimer Center c/o Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384.

Condolence messages may be written for the Steffee family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.