Sam Glass Pate

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Sam Glass Pate, 92, died Wednesday, the 23rd of February 2022 at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, Texas.

A native of Sweetwater, Texas, Sam was born April 1, 1929, son of Oscar and Berta Glass Pate. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1946 and joined the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Military Science and Business Administration in 1950. During his tenure at A&M, he was assigned to "A" Company Infantry and among other honors, Sam was inducted into the Sul Ross Volunteers Association which serves as the official Honor Guard to the Governor of Texas.

Soon after the Korean War broke out in 1950, Sam entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant at Fort Hood, Texas. While serving, he was noted by a General Charles Gailey for his character and abilities. The General requested that Sam become his attaché in Munich, Germany which the United States occupied at the time. Sam quickly accepted the offer which he then learned required "Ranger Training." This taught soldiers to jump from planes by parachute. Having a lifelong fear of heights, Sam found this to be quite a challenge, causing him to lament in later years he never "jumped” from an airplane, but rather was "pushed... five times!!!"

An accident occurred in Germany which would again change the direction of Sam's life. Upon returning from duty in very dense fog, Sam's Jeep took a wrong turn over a cliff, causing it to land squarely on top of him, breaking his back. After months of recuperation and therapy he was able to regain his strength, however his Army days were over.

It was during this period that Sam met his first wife, Jacqueline Servais, a teacher from the United States for children of the occupied forces in Munich. After his recuperation, they married and had their first child, Susan Ann, born in Munich, Germany in 1953. In 1954, Sam and his small family moved when his uncle, Sam Leland Glass, asked him to join one of his grocery enterprises, Minimax Supermarkets, Inc. in Brownsville, Texas. Sam gratefully accepted the offer and fulfilled his duties as a rookie in the field. Soon he was to become an integral part of the grocery business and the community at large.

In 1955, the family grew when it welcomed its second child, Michael Glass Pate.

The family lost Jackie to cancer in 1963 when Sam entered a new phase of life.

In 1964, Sam met Margaret Aziz, a young woman working quietly in her family-owned Department Store in downtown Brownsville just a few blocks from Sam's own business. The two started dating and one year later they married and began their adventurous life together.

Sam was a hands-on entrepreneur and owned and operated several businesses. From 1965 to 1989 he served as President of King Mart Export when the company joined forces with United Export Trading Association (UETA). From 1974 until its sale in 1993, he was owner and President of King Mart Supermarkets, Inc. and from 1991 until his retirement in 1994, Sam was a shareholder and CEO of the Far Southern  Division of UETA after it was sold to Duty Free International. In 1982, Sam was recognized as one of the outstanding independent grocers in the United States.

Always community minded, Sam served on many boards including director of Mercantile Bank and its predecessors for over thirty years; Texas Southmost College Board of Directors from 1966 to 1977; Brownsville Public Utilities Board member and President (a great proponent of the Weir Dam); President of Brownsville Chamber of Commerce; Founder and President of the Downtown Development Corporation; and Chairman of the Downtown Streetscape. As President of St. Joseph Academy's Advisory Board, Sam instigated and oversaw the transition of the all-male academy to its co-education status.

In 1984 when the Olympic Games took place, Sam was delighted to be chosen to carry the Torch representing Brownsville in the Olympic Torch Relay. An avid runner, he participated in 10K runs to marathon runs throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Sam also enjoyed his weekly tennis games and played "Pington" at TSC's gym where he and Henry Lindslay claimed the title of World Doubles Champions. Pington was a very popular, hybrid sport which was the brainchild of his close friend, Werner Steinbach. Sam also loved to sing and many times you could catch him and Marge harmonizing tunes such as "You Are My Sunshine.”

Preceding Sam in death were his parents, Oscar and Berta Glass Pate; his first wife, Jacqueline Pate; his sister, Betty Whitis; his uncle, Sam Leland Glass; and son-in-law, Peter Dobrolski.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Margaret Pate; daughter, Susan Dobrolski; son, Michael Glass Pate and his wife Sherry; two grandsons, Conner and Carson Pate; nephew, Kelly Puckett; cousins Barbara Glass Meyer, Frank Glass, and Sam Glass; and extended family members including nephews Bobby, Kevin, and Patrick Aziz and Cathy Aziz Galle. He is also survived by his two closest friends, from A&M days, Donald "Doggy" McClure and Jim Hiester.

Visitation will be held within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home on Monday, the 7th of March 2022 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o’clock at night. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at seven o’clock Monday evening.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 8th of March 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 E. Elizabeth Street, Brownsville with the Reverend Pablo Hughes, O.M.I. officiating. The Rite of Committal with military honors will follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Marshall Ray, Terry Ray, Mike Pierce, Bill Conner, Hugh Lieck, Les Gloor, Dean Moser, and Jim Tipton.

Honorary pallbearers are Donald McClure, Jim Hiester, Frank Glass, Sam Glass, Ray Wallace, Kelly Puckett, Jim Scott, Ray Hughston, Adolph Dittman, David Merrill, Jimmy Buckingham, and Dean Conner.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to longtime friend and Urologist Dr. Danilo K. Asase, MD who saved Sam's life more than once during the thirty years he treated him. There are no words of thanks that could ever repay him. Our many thanks go to Dr. Juan M. Martinez, MD and Staff who were always a phone call away day or night. We especially thank the dedicated caretakers and helpers who worked tirelessly for Sam, making it possible for him to stay in the home he loved.

Masses may be offered for Sam or memorial donations given to the Sacred Heart Building Fund, care of Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Brownsville, (956) 546-3178.

Memories of Sam may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.