Rev. Samuel "Sam" Duree

Reverend Samuel Marion Duree was born on October 24, 1930, in Seguin, TX to Nora Gertrude and Samuel Teddy Duree. He passed away peacefully on November 1, 2017 at Baylor Scott and White-Brenham, with his wife, Beverly, by his side.

Viewing will begin Friday, November 3, 2017 at noon in Brenham Memorial Chapel. A private family graveside service will be held on the morning of Saturday, November 4, 2017. The celebration of life will begin Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Brenham at 408 N. Baylor Street, Brenham, TX 77833 with a reception to follow.

Sam graduated from Patti Welder High School in Victoria, TX in 1947. He attended Texas A&M University, Lon Morris College, Sam Houston State University, and Perkins School of Theology, SMU. In 1950, during his time at Lon Morris, Sam met the love of his life, Beverly Ann Watson, and they were married on January 28, 1951. Sam was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist church in 1956, and has since served several Methodist churches in the east Texas and Houston areas, and started 3 new Methodist churches. Sam was the cofounder of the Houston International Seafarers Center at the Port of Houston where he served as senior chaplain and director for 5 years. In 1978, Sam became pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Brenham where he served until 1984. He then went on to serve St. Philips UMC in Houston through 1990 when he became District Superintendent of the Houston Northwest District until retirement in 1996.

During his ministry, Sam served practically every mission position in the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC. He worked on projects in Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Belize, and Costa Rica. His most recent mission work was as coordinator of the Russian Initiative from 1996 through 2001 where he led mission teams to Siberia on 14 occasions.

Upon retiring, Sam began building birdhouses which he sold and was able to donate over $100,000 to the Russia United Methodist Church seminary in Moscow, Russia. Once that goal was met, Sam continued building the birdhouses to donate to the United Methodist Seminary in the Ivory Coast, Africa.

Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Beverly; daughter Nona Taylor, her husband Brooks, their son Matt, his wife Sara and their son Nate; son Samuel, his wife Sharon, their daughter Kelbi and her husband Jonah, Samuel’s son Jeremy, his wife Amanda and their son George; son Tim, his wife Sandra, their son Tad, his wife Samia, and their daughter Zarina, and their daughter Lindsey and her husband Jarrett; his brother-in-law David Watson, wife Bernice, and his nieces and nephews whom he adored. In peaceful resting, he joins his father Samuel, mother Nora, sister Nona, brother Jack, and many close relatives and loved ones.

The family would like to thank the staff at Scott and White, including Doctor Holster and the amazing team at Brazos Valley Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory may be made to Brenham First UMC.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979-836-3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.