Sammy Etcheson

(From Weng Funeral Chapel)

Sammy J. Etcheson, 93, was born February 13, 1933 in the Nashville, MO community to LeRoy and Mary Etcheson. He went to his heavenly home on August 22, 2026 at his home in Lone Oak, TX.

Sammy was one of 8 children and graduated from the Mindenmines High School. In 1953, he served in Korea on the front line for 18 months. He celebrated his 21st birthday on the front line, fighting for the country that he loved so dearly. During that time, he also gave his life to Jesus and experienced the overwhelming feeling that The Lord was calling him to do something.

Upon his return, he reconnected with the love of his life, Dorothy Beasley. On March 3, 1956 he became a loving husband and father. He started work in the family business of farming alongside his brothers Robert (Bill) Etcheson and Adam (Dutch) Etcheson in the Jasper area.

One year, after his brother’s crops flourished and his crops did not, he realized what that calling from The Lord was - preaching. He attended Hannibal LaGrange College seminary school and became an ordained minister on October 6, 1963. Though he retired from the pulpit in 1978 after serving 5 different communities (Cyrene, Monett, Seligman, and Carthage, Missouri), he kept spreading The Good Word for his entire life. He returned to the pulpit in 2007 after the loss of his son, Wyatt Etcheson at Zion Baptist Church.

As a pillar in the veteran community and an advocate for other veterans, Sammy was an active member of Jasper VFW Post 6415. He helped rebuild the post after it was burned down and went on to become the Post Commander and serve as the District Commander. He also was instrumental in getting the post certified to give military funerals, a service they regularly provide to other veterans. Jasper VFW Post 6415 remains an active community to this day, a sign of Sam’s lasting impact in the area.

After losing the love of his life on Sept 23, 2014, Sammy focused more on his family and traveling. While traveling, he would like to pull out the phone book in the hotel and see if any Etchesons lived in the cities - regularly finding some distant family relative with whom he could connect. His last large trip was to Pendleton Rodeo in Oregon - a trip that his brothers Bill and Virgil made before they deployed to World War II. During this 7 week journey, Sam was honored at the rodeo for his service and received a standing ovation from the 12,000 attendees.

In 2017, alongside his daughter (Teresa Etcheson Welsh), he moved to Lone Oak, TX. Once again, he became an active participant and leader within the church - Top Rail Cowboy Church. He will be fondly remembered for his emphatic “Amens” for which he became well-known.

Wherever Sammy went in life, he carried himself with God’s love on full display. He was a leader in his family and his communities. He served as a role model for the generations of young men he mentored as his dedication to his wife, his children, his community, and his good works were never in question.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Etcheson, Father LeRoy Etcheson all 7 siblings LeRoy Jr, Virgil, Viola, Robert (Bill), Martha (Bake), Adam (Dutch), Lois (Toots) his wife, Dorothy his son, Wyatt, and his granddaughter Julia Ingram.

He is survived by:

● Daughters: Connie (Bob) Wise, Teresa Etcheson Welsh

● Grandchildren: David (Lilly) Wise, Sean Wise, Marisa (David Whitaker) Wise, Lacy (Matt) Harris, Jennifer Etcheson (Jesse Foster), Jaime (Tony) Spurling, Lacy (Troy) Lowery, Timothy (Kelli) Welsh, Samuel (Tru) Etcheson

● Great-Grandchildren: Rhett and Harper Wise, Jaxon Wise, Blair, Kellan, and Ardyn Harris, Ainsley Whitaker, Greyson Wofford, Emerson Foster, Riley Spurling (Brianna Ware), Ragan Spurling (Blain Walker), Remington Spurling, Sloane and Parker Welsh, Paisley, Wyatt, Bryer, and Roper Etcheson, Abigail and Junior Lowery, Jordan and Jayden Ingram

● Great-Great-Granddaughter: Kimber Nicole Spurling

Services will be held at Weng Funeral Jasper MO: Visitation on Friday, August 28, from 6 PM to 7 PM and Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 29 at 10 AM - graveside services following.

Memorial Service at Top Rail Cowboy Church Greenville TX to be announced at a later date.