Biography: Samuel Virginius Bracy III, a good man and true southern gentleman, joined a host of angels on November 22, 2013. Sam, the oldest of three brothers, was born on March 13, 1934 to Sam V. Bracy Jr. and Pauline Cherry Bracy. Sam attended Little Rock public schools, graduating from Little Rock High School in 1952. After graduation, Sam served in the United States Army as an instructor in Atomic Weapons School at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM. Upon returning to Little Rock, Sam enrolled at Little Rock University, now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and graduated with his business degree in 1961. Sam began a life-long relationship with UALR, culminating in being named Outstanding Alumnus in 1987. Sam began his career at Peerless Engraving as a delivery driver rising through the ranks and eventually purchased the company in 1979. As President and CEO of Peerless Engraving, the company grew from a local provider of engraved printing plates into an industry leader in prepress and printing, locally, regionally, and nationally. Among his many accomplishments, Sam received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Advertising Federation. In 1956, Sam married his 7th grade sweetheart, the former Martha Brown, known to everyone as ?Tiny?, and they would share 48 wonderful, loving years together. They were the proud parents of three children, daughters Shawn and Stephanie, and son Sam IV. Sam and Tiny would lose their precious son in 1964, and Sam would lose Tiny in 2004. In 2006, Sam married the former Luana Adams, and she would be his loving and constant companion for the rest of his life. They shared a love of friends, golf, and travel, and visited many exotic locales and incredible places around the world. The family will always treasure their annual vacations to the beach, a tradition they have shared for over 20 years, and will continue to do so. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, who lovingly called him G-Daddy, their friend, cheerleader, and mentor. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Tiny, and his son Sam IV. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife Luana, daughters Shawn Clark, (Kenny), Stephanie Wright, (Mark), grandchildren Lindsey Tugman (Keith), Rachael Jones (Blake), Alli Clark, Ryan Wright (Courtney), Sam Clark, and one great-grandson, Parker Jones, brothers Calvin Bracy (Melinda), Lewis Bracy (Carolyn), and Luana?s son Matthew Adams (Ashley), and their children Elizabeth Grace and Christopher. Another large group affectionately called him ?Uncle Sam?. A nicer, kinder, more generous man would be hard to find. He was truly an angel on earth and was well loved and admired by everyone who had the honor to know him. He lived by the golden rule and always did the right thing saying that your character, reputation and love are the only things you can take with you. He takes with him an incredible abundance of each. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home with a visitation on Monday, November 25, 2013 from 6:00p.m until 8:00p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a private family graveside service at Roselawn Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 11:00a.m. with Reverend Siegfried Johnson officiating. The family would especially like to thank his oncologist Dr. Diane Wilder and the staff at Baptist Health Carti, Dr. Fritz vanRhee and the staff at UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Center and Hospice Homecare, for their tireless efforts and compassionate support. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rockefeller Cancer Center, or to St. James United Methodist Church.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. It was an honor to know both Sam Bracy Jr and Sam Bracy III. Both were great members of our community and will be greatly missed.