Alan Drew Sample's Obituary
Alan Sample Obituary
A funeral service honoring Alan “Big Al” Drew Sample will be held 2 PM Saturday, August 28 at the Triumph Worship Center in Mounds. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 PM Thursday at Bixby-South Tulsa Funeral Service & Crematory. Alan passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2021 in Tulsa at the age of 67.
Born February 11, 1954 in Floral, Arkansas, Alan was the son of Alvis and Dora Faye (Woods) Sample. Alan would relocate to Bixby at the age of 15. Mrs. Arnold once told him, “My daughter would just love you.” She would soon introduce Alan to her daughter, Carolyn, and the couple married just two months later on May 29, 2001.
Alan worked as a diesel mechanic most of his lifetime. He was employed by the City of Bixby where he once earned a Mechanic’s Certificate of Excellence. Alan also worked for Allison Tractors. Customers would call Alan and he could always tell what was wrong with their tractor just by listening to the sound it was making over the phone. Raymond originally taught him about diesel mechanics, who was practically a second dad to Alan.
Alan was also a “Hot Rodder,” restoring many beautiful cars through the years. Known as the “Over the Hill Gang,” Alan loved getting together with his fellow Hot Rod buddies every Friday night. Hot dogs and bologna were his specialty in the grilling department where Al was known to be quite masterful. Alan and Carolyn enjoyed camping with Ron and Cathy Mulkey.
Though he was often rough, tough, and hard to bluff, Alan was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was extremely intelligent and taught them all so much about life. He will not soon be forgotten by a host of family and friends who will certainly cherish his memory.
Surviving family members include his wife, Carolyn Sample; his children, Samantha Sample (Eric Boatman) of Liberty, Alex Sample of Liberty Mounds, Alan Sample and wife, Sandy of Mounds, Gary Jones (Shelly Redwine) of Vinita, Megan Miles and husband, James of Shawnee; and his mother and father-in-law, Betty and Bob Ware of Pryor.
Al was preceded in death by his daughter, Lizzy Sample Zulfelt; his mother, Faye Lund of Willow, Alaska; his father, Alvis Sample of Floral, Arkansas; and his brother, Matthew Sample.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Alan Drew Sample, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Alan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alan?
Share a story where Alan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alan you’ll never forget.
How did Alan make you smile?