Obituary for Sam Sheehan II

Sam Sheehan II, age 77, a longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at his home.

A memorial ceremony to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 16, 2017, at the First Christian Church with Reverend Larry Metzger officiating. Honorary casket bearers will be Mark Girardi, Tom Sattre, Ryan Sattre, Craig Sattre, the Noon Lions Club, and the Ceja crew. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Sam was born on March 4, 1940, to Sam Sheehan and Doris Dawson Sheehan in Vinita, OK. Being raised in Stillwater, he naturally attended the local schools and the First Christian Church, where a young lady in his Sunday school class, Wanda Peery, caught his eye. The two became fast friends, and soon became a couple, dating through high school, and even attending Oklahoma A&M together. In September of 1960 Sam married Wanda. Sam earned his degree in mechanical engineering (with petroleum option), and Wanda worked for Continental Oil Company in Ponca City.

After college, Sam took a job at Sun Ray DX in Tulsa, and later joined the U.S. Navy where he served as an officer on the U.S.S. Topeka. Shortly after he and his shipmates made it to Hong Kong, the Topeka was called upon to participate in the U.S. response to hostilities erupting in Vietnam. He later completed his active duty in San Diego, and during his time with the Navy, he came to love sailing – and especially in lakes and the ocean in a large black catamaran built by his brother Bill. Sam’s Navy experience left a lasting impression on him, giving him the tools necessary for professional and personal success.

After his active duty ended, he continued his service in the Navy Reserve and took a position in the private sector with Humble Oil Company in Hobbs New Mexico. Humble Oil later became Exxon Oil during Sam’s tenure there, and after many years of the California commute while at Exxon, Oklahoma called Sam home. The family made the journey East, and Sam became the Production Supervisor for Ceja Oil Corporation in Ponca City. He and Wanda acquired a heavenly plot of land on the bluffs overlooking the Arkansas River where they built their home and raised their two sons, Sam III and Gregg. Sam continued working for Ceja until his retirement in 2010.

As a dedicated family man, Sam stayed active in his son’s lives, supporting them in their endeavors. Sam relished his life in Ponca City – loving the slower pace and that he didn’t have to dress up in a suit to be successful in the oil business.

Through the years, Sam joined and participated in the charitable efforts of the American Legion, the Ponca City Stock Club, First Christian Church, and Ponca City Noon Lions Club. In 2009, he was recognized as a Melvin Jones Fellow for his dedication to humanitarian services.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Sheehan, and sons: Sam Sheehan, III and wife Jamie of Ponca City, Gregg Sheehan and wife Mindy of Genesee, CO; siblings: Bill Sheehan and wife Becka of Mount Enterprise, TX, Sallie Taylor of Springtown, TX, Pat Sheehan and wife Aimee of Austin, TX, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna Chrislip and husband Doug of Portland, OR, adored grandchildren: Kayla, Katie, Sammy, Cale, Ashlyn, Kiera, Haley, and Josh, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601, or to First Christian Church, 210 N. 5th St., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home