Samuel Joseph Chesnut, 70, went to be with the Lord on January 26, 2019, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sam was born in Oklahoma City to Lawrence Joseph and Jessie Mae (Hill) Chesnut on May 1, 1948. Sam graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1966. On May 6, 1966, Sam and Norma Jean Frolich were united in marriage. Two children were born to this union, Darla and Angela. Sam received a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in religion and music from Bethany Nazarene College. He later received a Doctorate of Divinity from The Universal Bible Institute in Tennessee. Sam also graduated from Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, where he spent time as a farrier shoeing horses around Oklahoma City. Sam was a long-time member, youth pastor, song director, and associate pastor at Capitol Hill Church of God, which was led for 43 years by Sams father, Lawrence Chesnut. Sam pastored at the First Church of God in Norman. Later, Sam pastored the South Sooner Cowboy Church in Midwest City up until late 2018, when he retired. His Cowboy Church was affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. His church family was very special to him and leading the church was his most cherished role. Sam received the Distinguished Service Award in 2018 from the Church of the Nazarene. Sam and Jean began a home building business in 1966 and built homes in the Oklahoma City area for more than a decade. In 1979, Sam became an Oklahoma City police officer, retiring after 27 years in September 2007. During his term of service, he was awarded the Medal of Valor and the Medal of Accomplishment. Sam also served as one of the inaugural officers of the Mounted Horse Patrol in Oklahoma City. He also was a proud member of the Tactical (SWAT) team, with 10 years in assault, and 14 years as a sniper, serving as Sniper Team Leader. Sam was so adept at shooting, he won multiple contests in long range shooting. He also used his skill as a civilian instructor for the United States Army for many years and was named a top sniper for the FBI. After retirement from the Oklahoma City Police Department, Sam served as a Deputy US Marshal, President of the Marshal Posse, and as an Oklahoma Deputy Sheriff. As a Deputy Sheriff, Sam was honored as the Special Escort for the Special Olympics and Acting Territorial Governor for Harn Homestead events. Sam loved spending time with his grandchildren, attending church, singing, riding and training his horses, reading, writing, and he was an expert in firearms. He had a beautiful Tenor voice, and sang and played guitar, and led music in church throughout his life. He also founded the Capitol Hill HS Alumni Choir. Sam also had a passion for motorcycles and Harley Davidson. After high school, he raced motorcycles on dirt tracks around the region for about a decade, winning many races. Sams love of horses was unmatched. During the 1970s, he traveled around the US with his family, showing Tennessee Walker horses. Sams pinnacle in horse shows was when he won at the Tennessee Walking Horse World Championship Celebration with his horse Checkmate. In his later years, Sam was a published author with many credits including as a contributor for The Military and Police Sniper, and a regular writer in many publications including Tactical Edge. In retirement, Sam was lead security at Cattlemans Restaurant in Stockyards City and was awarded Premier Partner of the Stockyards City Main Street Association in 2016. Cattlemens and Stockyards City always held a special place in Sams heart. Sam was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters, Darla (Rex) Madion of Steamboat Springs, CO and Angela (Matthew) Akin of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Audrey Sharp, Zachary Akin, Brett Akin, and Claire Akin; brother, Daniel (Sue) Chesnut; nephews, Dani (Kristye) Chesnut, Jr., Darwin (Bridgett) Chesnut and Darren (Lori) Chesnut; and; and his beloved horses, Traveler and Wrangler. Viewing will be Thursday, January 31 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with family present from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Mercer-Adams. Services will be held Friday, February 1, 2:00 pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with interment in Resthaven Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Sooner Cowboy Church, 10908 E. Reno Avenue, Midwest City, OK 73130. Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Chapel Thursday, January 31, 2019 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 Funeral Service Bethany First Church of the Nazarene Friday, February 01, 2019 2:00 PM 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, Oklahoma 73008