Samuel Allen Pfenning

Samuel Allen Pfenning, son of Sam Pfenning and Eddie Parr Pfenning, was born in Hobart, Oklahoma on June 14, 1943, and died in Hobart on May 9, 2014.

Sam graduated from Hobart High School in 1961, and received a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University. After graduating from Officer Candidate School, he served as an Army officer in Viet Nam, where he was a Combat Engineer with the 20th Engineer Brigade. Following his military service, he returned to Kiowa County and farmed until he retired. He was always very active in the Kiowa County Junior Livestock Show and served as Show Superintendent for several years. In 2013, he received the MVP Award in recognition of his many years of service and support of the youth of Kiowa County.

Sam enjoyed running, and developed a host of running friends across the state as he participated in countless 5-K and 10-K runs. For several years, he successfully competed in the Sooner State Games and in the Dallas Masters, and especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren to run with him in the Red Bud Classic in Oklahoma City.

Sam's wry wit and deadpan delivery made him a popular public speaker, and he was equally adept at entertaining and at solemn occasions. He was a Lay Speaker for the Methodist Church and had a wide circle of friends in this group. He excelled at telling stories on himself, and often brought his listeners to helpless tears of laughter when he told those stories.

Sam had served on many boards, including the Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Board, and had been president of the Friends of the Hobart Library, He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a long-time member of the Hobart First United Methodist Church, where he taught an adult Sunday School class. He was a dedicated supporter and participant in the Kiowa County Relay For Life and was a member of the morning coffee group at Boothe Drug Store.

Sam and Marian Guest Morris were married on August 6, 1977. He had been previously married to Ellen Russey.


He is survived by his wife, Marian, and their children: Kyle Pfenning and his wife Shonda; Lisa Pryor and her husband, Dick; Steve Morris and his wife, Karen; and Mac Morris and his wife Lori.

Also surviving him are their grandchildren: Aeschel Duran and her husband, Levi; Ryan Southerland and his wife, Sai; Chelsea Wesner and her husband, Jeff; Emily Southerland; Brittney Stone; Blake Stone; Shae Pfenning; and Nicolas Pfenning.


"See you later!"


Viewing starts Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.

Family will greet friends at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2014

Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2014
First United Methodist Church, Hobart, Oklahoma
Officiating: Rev. Brandon Dollarhite and Bill Hancock

Burial will follow at Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart, OK under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.RayAndMarthas.com