Sam Stearman, 83, went to be with his Lord Jesus on Nov. 20, 2009. He was born on June 12, 1926, in Hooker, Oklahoma. He married Billie Katherine White on June 25, 1948, and they were married for 61 years. He was a graduate of Southern Nazarene University (Bethany Peniel College at the time) and did his graduate work at Wittenburg University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of theology by the Church of the Nazarene. Brother Sam, as he was so affectionately called, pastored Nazarene churches in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Sam and Dr. Ponder Gilliland were co-founders of NIROGA (Nazarene International Retreat of Golden Agers), he helped establish ARMM (Association of Retired Ministers and Missionaries), and he and B. Kaye were the founders of SAM (Senior Adult Ministries) Tours, traveling to all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada. In 1976, his alma mater (SNU) honored him as an outstanding alumnus with the B Award. Even more than these accomplishments, however, everyone who knew Sam Stearman will remember him as a man who truly never met a stranger. He would light up any room that he would enter, and his familiar God Bless You! became his trademark blessing. Being in his presence was like being dipped in sunshine. His family has often stated that he was exactly the same person behind closed doors as he was in public---genuinely happy, loving, and affirming. He loved his current events and news, politics, his Colorado mountain vacation home, and his dog Gracie May. Sam was a WW II veteran and served in the Army. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and a sister. He is survived by his wife Billie of the home; three sons, Steve and wife Vickie of Oklahoma City, Scott and wife Hermine of Woodland Park, Colorado, and Sam of Oklahoma City; grandchildren Dustin Stearman and wife Laura of Oklahoma City, Sharilyn Starling and husband Greg of Mustang; and three great grandchildren, Jake, Samantha, and Ben. Contributions may be made to the SNU Angel Scholarship fund for needy students in his memory. The memorial service will be at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 with interment at Bethany Cemetery.