Alfred Samuel Waldrop

Sam Waldrop lived his whole life for this one moment?entrance into heaven. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 in Elmwood Memorial Park, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church Sanctuary. Dr. Phil Christopher will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Tuesday at their home, 1365 Elmwood. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Sam was born in Haskell, Texas in 1921. He moved with his family to Abilene in 1923 when his father and mother, Gideon W. and Margaret Pierson Waldrop opened Waldrop Furniture Company. A graduate of Abilene High School, Sammy followed his older brother, Gid, to Baylor University on both debate and band scholarships. At Baylor, lasting relationships were formed, including the friendships with eight couples known as the "Elephant Hunters" and Baylor is where he met his wife of 64 years, Lenore Cain Waldrop. They were married in 1944 after Sam had entered the FBI as its youngest agent and were stationed in Salt Lake City and San Francisco. Sam and Lenore returned to Abilene to join his father in the furniture business. The Waldrops raised their three children, Gladys, Nancy and David. Sam's life was focused on serving God, his church, his family, his community and his business. In each area he exhibited a leadership style that was personal, kind-hearted and wise. Sam served as chairman of the board for the following organizations: Deacons at First Baptist Church, Trustees at Hardin-Simmons University, Hendrick Medial Center and the Texas Highway Commission. He served as City Councilman and Mayor Pro-tem. Sam served as president of the following organizations: Abilene Habitat for Humanity, Abilene Kiwanis Club, Abilene Community Foundation, Abilene Savings and Loan, and the Abilene Philharmonic Association. Sam was president of Southwest Home Furnishings Association and where he also served on the board for numerous years. He also served on the National Home Furnishings Board. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gideon and Margaret Waldrop. Sam is survived by his wife, Lenore Cain Waldrop of Abilene; one son, David Waldrop of Abilene; two daughters, Gladys Waldrop Kolenovsky and her husband Bobby of Dallas, Nancy Turner and her husband Jay, also of Dallas; six grandchildren, Megan, Sam, Keni, David, Caroline and Catherine. Memorials may be made in honor of Sam Waldrop to: Hendrick Health System Foundation, 1242 North 19th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; Habitat For Humanity-Abilene, 350 Cornerstone Court, Abilene, Texas 79602; First Baptist Church Family Life Ministry, 1333 North 3rd Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; Hardin-Simmons University, 2200 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; or to the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra Association, 402 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.