Samuel “Sam” Edward Crosland, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at his home on April 1, 2021. He was 94. Sam is survived by his wife, Johanna Crosland; his daughters: Paula Dryden (John), Sharon Calhoun (David), and Sara Ogletree (Alan, deceased); 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Herman Crosland (Anne). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Suzie Crosland, and brothers: John (Jimmie, deceased), Roy (Maxine), Harry (Merle, deceased), and Gene (Dorothy, deceased) Crosland.
Sam was born on January 10, 1927 on his family’s farm out on a windswept prairie in Palo Pinto County, Texas. After his family moved to Houston, he met the love of his life, Johanna, at a neighborhood tennis court. In 1954, a business opportunity arose, and he and Johanna moved to New Orleans, LA, settling in River Ridge. He was owner and president of the Hollywood Door Company in Metairie, LA., for 67 years.
Sam was a member of Metairie Baptist Church for 67 years. He loved the Lord and his church community and served for many years as a teacher and deacon, but most notably on the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
As an avid outdoorsman, Sam loved hunting and fishing with his brothers in Texas and throughout his long life, he regularly packed up his family to visit national parks and camping grounds across the country. He was master and commander of a pop-up camper; skilled at negotiating precarious Colorado switchbacks, snow-capped mountains, and forests of Aspen to find the perfect spot to open and let bloom a temporary family home in God’s majestic outdoors, which he treasured.
The patient, soft-spoken gentleman known as Mr. Crosland, Sam, Papa, Dad, neighbor, friend will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Sam’s Life to be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Metairie Baptist Church, 401 Codifer Blvd. in Metairie, LA, beginning with a visitation at 10:00 am, memorial service at 11:00 am, and lunch for you and your family following the service. Covid-19 guidelines will be in place. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted for the support of the Metairie Baptist Vacation Bible School summer program for children.
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