Sam Harjo

The community of Sasakwa lost an icon on July 23, 2021. Sam Butler Harjo gained his wings. He was the epitome of being famous in a small town and enjoyed his legendary status every day. He was larger than life, always had a smile, considered everyone a friend, and was the kindest man.

His son-in-law Jeff Hudson said it best, “He was a special man.” That he was. He was so loved.

Sam Butler Harjo was born on December 21, 1932. He was the only child of Butler Harjo and Juanita Russell. His father would not live to meet his son.

Sam grew up in the country in Sasakwa and would choose to live in the community until his death. He attended Sasakwa Public Schools and caught the eye of Ms. Ruby Arnetta Harris.

Sam married Arnetta on September 24, 1957 and soon daughter Dona and son Jay were running around the house.

That family has grown to include grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. There’s not a baby in the family that hasn’t been bounced on his knee and been soothed by the special song that he sang. No one in the family can get the tune correct. That song was his and his alone.

Sam was a talented mechanic and would have a lifelong love of old cars and antique tractors. If there was a parade, Sam was in the line-up waving from the seat of a tractor or through the window of a hotrod. He served as the Sasakwa Fire Chief, answered to “Shotgun Sam” on the Fire CB, and drove around with Jay in a 1965 red Ford; with a red light on top, while on fire duty. He could often be found in his own shop building fixing cars for friends or painting vehicles. He was a jack of all trades and loved spending time tinkering on this and that.

Sam had a strong faith in God and his favorite scripture was John 3:16. He spent his entire life in church and knew, without a doubt, Jesus was waiting for him. As a child he attended Cedar River Church in Holdenville. As an adult, he attended Sasakwa First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon. His greatest joy was seeing his entire family in church.

Sam worked a variety of jobs through his life. He spent time working at Peter’s Texaco in Sasakwa, Thomas Electric in Wewoka, John L. Lewis Oil Service in Sasakwa, and the Sasakwa Public School System. He retired in the early 1990s but continued to tinker on cars, attend parades, and be Sasakwa famous.

Sam was a member of the Tusekia Harjo Band of the Seminole Nation. He enjoyed listening to Seminole Native Hymns and would tell people he didn’t know that he was full blood and the Chief. He was neither but it made for a good story. He was the best storyteller. No one knew which tall tales were true, partly true, or from his imagination. We enjoyed hearing all of them and will miss the way he laughed at his own stories.

He loved to travel. He wanted to be on the road all the time and often talked people into taking him to town to eat. It was an unspoken rule, if Sam was in the car, there was going to be a stop at a restaurant. He loved to visit with people and knew people from every walk of life. He always said, “They like me” and they did. Everybody has a story that involves Sam Harjo. He was a good man and he loved life. Sam and Arnetta had an abundance of friends and spent many weekends visiting, playing dominoes, listening to music, and making memories.

Special thanks to Kenneth and Julie Batey, Calvin Neeley, Lester and Demiah Reich, and Gene Streetman.

Sam lost Arnetta late last year. Arnetta, their baby daughter Tina Renae, and great granddaughter Scotland Nicole, most certainly met Sam at the gates of Heaven.

Left to cherish his memory are his son Jay Harjo and daughter Dona Hudson and husband Jeff. He also leaves his grandchildren, Racheal Bible and husband Byron, Logan Hudson and wife Shelby, Tina Torres and husband Mundo, and Colton Harjo. Sam was also blessed with great grandchildren, Presley Kirkwood, Ivy Bible, Scotland Bible, Bryor Bible, Adilee Hudson, Anzlee Hudson, Alisyn Hudson, Augusta Hudson, Anthony Torres, Armondo Torres, Alex Torres, and Aleah Torres. He was also recently blessed with a great great granddaughter, Miss Everley Mae Gentry. Sam was a big brother and leaves his sister Mary Norman, husband Kenneth and favorite niece Carla Kay. He had a special connection with his sister and called her everyday. He also leaves his sisters-in-law Nancy Conley and Sue Giles and brothers-in-law Larry Harris and Roy Dean Harris.

Sam will make his final appearance at his service on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Sasakwa. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka. Sam requested his nephews carry him to his resting place.

Honoring their uncle as Pall Bearers will be Victor Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Scott Johnson, Stacey Johnson (deceased), Beau Johnson, Ethan Johnson, Tony Johnson, and Justin Johnson.

Family will greet guests on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 5pm to 7pm at the Stout Phillips Funeral Home Chapel.

The stories involving Sam could fill up books, but his great granddaughters said it best, “He was the best Papa Sam and he was nice to everyone.” Yes he was. He was Sasakwa famous. He was loved. He was cherished. He will be missed.

Services are under the direction of Stout Phillips Funeral Home.