In Loving Memory of Samuel Dean Ray

I always thought Sam was older, he was polished, mature, and very kind! I will remember him fondly. We had fun on the Suncoast View!
Hugs to all his family and dear friends; he was special and I’m sorry you had him for such a short time. He was loved.

For every birthday since Waylon was 2, Sam always came to the rescue and decorated and put the balloons up and made the birthday amazing and awesome as only he could. His creativity and kindness was always at the forefront. Love you, Sam

I never realized just how many memories of middle and high school were tied to Sam. He was this light that people clung to. His joy of mundane things that made people do a double take and appreciate right along with him was something to behold.
I don’t think I’ve laughed more than when I was in Sam’s presence.

I wish I could thank him for the joy he brought some of my hard days and how he made me look at things differently. For showing me some of my favorite music to this day.
I’ll never forget sneaking out of the hotel in Hawaii just to sit on the beach for hours and talk.
He is an unforgettable force that will always be in my heart.

I will miss your beautiful smile Sam. I will miss your hugs and hearing “Hi Aunt Clara!” I will miss hearing about your latest project and how very excited you are to see it completed. The last time I saw Sam was at his sister’s wedding. He was working on Hanami and he and Lauren were telling me all about the work they were doing. He was so excited to see it completed. Sam had a way of making you feel like you were the only person in a crowded room. He loved and felt things more deeply than most people. He was an extraordinarily talented artist of many mediums from paintings,to woodworking, to creating beautiful restaurants. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin to all of his family in Texas. I feel like you are with the angels Sam, smiling and painting the sunsets. Rest easy until we all see you again. Love you always, Aunt Clara.

Sam came to see me for a facial and for a while until he got too busy would schedule with me on a 'somewhat' regular basis. We would share so much and I truly felt a kinship with him. Being around the corner from the restaurant was great as we would catch up and visit when my friends and I would go there after work. Tsunami was always a great place to dine after I moved to the Met. Over the years I would always run into Sam and Jeff at events and even during Covid when obviously doing facials was out of the question I would pick up food while working for Bite Squad. It just seemed natural I would always be in his life somehow. The last few times I saw him at 'Set The Bar' as my son competed along side Sam's restaurants. I know God has other plans for you great warrior. So many love and miss you. You were a bright light...Until we meet again...

I had the absolute honor and pleasure of teaching Sam at Oak Woods Intermediate in the Gifted Program. Words can’t describe my sadness here on Earth~yet the happiness of why God chose to bring him back to Heaven. As I remember Sam as a young (student)~he was quiet and humble~always the kindest one to share his creativity. Sam had a heart of gold and everyone wanted Sam to be their friend! He was a brilliant and beautiful young man. As time travels through life, we had the pleasure of connecting up on Facebook. Once again, his qualities remained in his soul. Sam and I visited two years ago. He proudly displayed what he was so proud of in his restaurant! Being a bit older in life, Sam and I snuck off to a quiet corner and he shared with me some of his young adulthood bumps in the road. I reminded him that all through the Bible, God finds favor with the ones of us that are not perfect. He and I enjoyed the much needed visit as we walked around and he pointed out each detail he was crazy happy to show me what he’d created. None of it surprised me. I knew at that moment, Sam had found his calling! I’m happy others in this life got to witness his craft of humble craft of creativity and brilliance! This world is not our home and I’m most certain God needs Sam in our eternal home for something big. This is the last picture of Sam and I. I will forever treasure. This is also the verse that speaks to me when I think of our young Sam I was happy to know. Peace to each of you until you share eternity with him! I’m SURE he’s up to something BIG. Love Ms. Lee

Sam was a remarkable person, a true individual, and a loving friend. So much of who I am today comes from the personality, art, music, and adventure we cultivated together. His spirit was so alive, inspiring, and magnetic. There are few people in this life that we can bare our whole soul to, and be loved and accepted entirely. I am so lucky to have shared that with Sam. I am so lucky that he chose me as a friend and wiggled his way into the family.

Sam was a dreamer with big dreams beyond Granbury, and I was happy to dream with him. We travelled the world together looking for new experiences, great food, the best music, cucumber drinks, and the most beautiful nature we could find. Sam loved water the most, and he was most at peace and happy around a body of water. He even tried to convince me a few times that he was a fish and could definitely breathe underwater. I never let those trials go long enough to prove he couldn't, so maybe he was. I'll hold on to my favorite memories of Sam near water; diving with the fish, talking by the ocean, soaking to raisin-status in hot tubs, "accidentally" falling into the bio-bay to make angels, or back home night swimming in Lake Granbury.

Sam never missed an opportunity to say when he missed you or how much he loved you or to give you a huge, crushing hug. I pray to love with that kind of inhibition and full-heartedness, and I pray he knows how much I loved him back and how much we miss him.

Sam and Jeffrey were the first two people we met when moving into 100 Central Condominium 11 years ago. We had a gazillion unopened boxes, had just arrived from Pennsylvania and nothing to eat. We went downstairs to Tsunami and explained our predicament. Both these wonderful, compassionate men put together an order of assorted menu items along with plates 2 bottles of Saki and chopsticks. They were so welcoming. Subsequently I became Mary from 100 Central every time I ordered. It was our go to place because of Sam and Jeff and their great staff. We will miss you Sam RIP my friend.