Thomas Sampson "Sam"
Thomas Sampson "Sam" Royster, Jr
d. December 24, 2020
Oxford, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was a native of
Granville County and was the son of the late Thomas Sampson Royster, Sr.
and Katherine Watkins Royster. Sam graduated from Wake Forest
University in 1959 and Wake Forest School of Law in 1961. While
attending Wake Forest University he married Pattillo Ramseur Royster in
1960. After graduating from Wake Forest University, Sam was
commissioned in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma and during his term he earned the rank of Captain. After his
discharge, he returned to Oxford to join the family law firm which was
established in the 1800’s. He was a certified specialist in estate planning and
fiduciary law.
Sam later became interested in land development and established JRS
Farms, which later became Tarheel Land Company. He was engaged in
organizations to benefit our state and the local community. Sam served on
the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission during the Martin
Administration. In 1992 Governor James Martin honored him with The
Order of The Long Leaf Pine. He served on the board of the Granville
Affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation and received the
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. He enjoyed many hobbies
throughout his life including golf, bird hunting, and fishing. Sam loved
family beach trips and shared his fondness for surf fishing with his children
and grandchildren. He was a self-taught furniture craftsman and his family
members proudly display his pieces in their homes. He also enjoyed
repairing classic British automobiles and accomplished three MG
restorations over the years.
He had a charismatic personality and often hosted lively gatherings for his
children, family, and his friends.
Sam was a member of the Oxford Baptist Church where he served as a
Deacon and Sunday school teacher. He also served on the board of the
Vance-Granville Community College.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Pat Royster; son Charlie; daughter,
Anna Barkley (Cab); sister Katherine Ewing; grandchildren, Tyler
Royster, Laura Barkley, and Elizabeth Barkley.
A private memorial service was held Monday, December 28, 2020 at Oxford Baptist by the Rev. Christopher R. Aho.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Granville Affiliate of the
North Carolina Community Foundation, 3737 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 460,
Raleigh, NC 27612, nccommunityfoundation.org., or Oxford Baptist
Church, PO Box 398, Oxford, NC 27565, oxfordbaptistnc.org.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Sampson "Sam" Royster, Jr, please visit our flower store.
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