Roll Call Tribute

Sam LaBarbera, Jr. 

February 11, 1937 - July 31, 2024 

Our beloved Sam LaBarbera, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Joseph Regional Hospital in Bryan, TX on July 31, 2024, at the age of 87.

Sam was born in Highbank, TX on February 11, 1937, to Sam and Rosa LaBarbera; he was the youngest of six siblings. He was adventurous and hard-working at a very young age. He joined the Air National Guard after graduating from high school. He later studied business at Texas A&M University. He was lucky to find love again and married Jeorgia Beth Hippler of Longview, TX on October 28, 1979. Sam retired from American National Insurance Company in 2019, still going door to door collecting insurance premiums.

Sam loved all things Aggies and especially enjoyed the flyovers before each Aggie football game in which he had season tickets for numerous years. Every Monday you could find him playing cards with his friends. The second Tuesday of each month he enjoyed Men’s Club at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Any other day of the week you could find him in his recliner watching Western movies or game shows provided an Aggie game was not on. He loved Sunday dinners with his family, and grilling anytime he had the opportunity.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Jeorgia LaBarbera; children Samuel LaBarbera, Theresa Nemec (David), LeaAnn Garcia (Bubba), Silas LaBarbera, Heather LaBarbera, and Jaden LaBarbera; grandchildren Arron Nemec (Jordan), Whitney Wagoner (Justin Powell), Aleah Garcia, Kaden Garcia, Luca LaBarbera; great-grandchildren Zoey Powell and Jaxson Nemec, close family friend Dr. Don Detmering, along with numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathryn Ruth (Fazzino) LaBarbera, his parents Sam and Rosa (Falco) LaBarbera, and his brothers Robert, Tony “Sonny”, Joe, and Frank.

A visitation for Sam will be held Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801 with a vigil and rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 401 S Parker Ave, Bryan, Texas 77803.