Jerry Wayne Samford, 89, of Center, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Rev. Malcolm Monroe will officiate.

Born November 22, 1930, in Center, Mr. Samford is the son of the late Jeff E. Samford and Corine Hughes Samford. He served in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Major. After his military service, he went to work with the Texas Department of Corrections in Huntsville. He began as Assistant Director of the Bureau of Classification. Soon, he was promoted to a Counselor within the department and then later promoted to Assistant Warden. During this time, he developed the Pre-Release Program, which was the first of its kind. After he and his lovely wife Wanda had their four children, they made the decision to move back to Center where he became Manager of the Center Chamber of Commerce. Here, he developed the Tri-County Community Action Program for Shelby, Sabine, and San Augustine Counties. As Director, he started Head Start, Community Centers and Summer Youth Employment programs. Head Start grew to cover 12 counties. State Farm came to him requesting that he become the first State Farm Insurance agent in Center. He flourished in his successful career with State Farm, retiring after 35 years. Mr. Samford was a member of Center Flying Club, Center Noon Lions Club, and First United Methodist Church in Center. He was most proud of his family accomplishments - his 65 year marriage to Wanda, raising his four children who all received college degrees, teaching his sons and grandsons to fly, and being Pa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he loved dearly.

He is survived by his children, Jeff E. Samford and wife Joanna of Georgia, Sharon Samford Wilson and husband Rick of Hallsville, Terry W. Samford and wife Penny of Austin, and Sandy Samford Wheeler of Center; grandchildren, Jeffery Samford, Dawn White, Jeremy Lansford, Elizabeth Houston, Angie Tyler, Ashley Jane Samford, Chris Wheeler, Nic Wheeler, and Whitney Wheeler; great grandchildren, Devon Tucker, Natalie Woodell, Maggie Samford, Everett Samford, Jayden Lansford, Owen Tyler, Brody Tyler, Canaan Houston, Lively Wheeler, Ariella Wheeler, Selah Wheeler, Lilah Wheeler, Rhett Wheeler, Cecil Wheeler, and Josie Wheeler; also, numerous other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Raymond Samford; parents, Jeff E. Samford and Corine Hughes Samford; brother, Jeff E. Samford Jr.; and grandson, Matthew Lansford.

Pallbearers will be Nic Wheeler, Jeffery Samford, Jeremy Lansford, Rick Wilson, Jeff Samford, Chris Wheeler, Terry Samford, and Chris Houston.

Memorial donations may be made to organizations dear to his heart - Methodist Children's Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708 and American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75231, www.heart.ora .