Sam Vest

Sam Vest, affectionately called “Boss” by his grandchildren, entered heaven January 21,2022. He was born May 9, 1935 in Temple, Tx. He was reunited with his parents, Fay Halley and Earl Vest, great granddaughter Story Vest and his cousin Rex Pigmon. He is survived by his wife Jerry Vest, son Vance Vest, daughter Samann Vest Watkins and her husband Ty.

Sam is also survived by three grandsons Vandon Vest and his wife Soni and great grandson Volan, Stetson Vest and his wife Chenae and great granddaughter Stetlee, and Sawyer Vest and his wife Whitney and great grandson Swayde. He is also survived by a number of family members and lifelong employees: Gene Templeton, Rafaela Morales, Teresa Gonzalez, Gloria Gurrola, Ronnie Miller, Sandy Greene and Janette Jennings.

Sam was a third generation cattle rancher and oil and gas businessman. He grew up in Monahans and Kermit, Tx and lived his early years at the Halley Place. He attended Kermit schools and graduated in 1954 where he went on to attend Texas Tech University. Sam and Jerry Dixon were married in 1957. In 1956, Sam and father Earl purchased Vest Ranch in Childress Tx where the next generation of the Vest family was born and raised. The Vest Ranch was started in 1887 in West Texas and continues to operate a commercial Angus cow calf operation in Monahans, Kermit, Notrees and Childress.

Sam resided in Ruidoso, NM where he enjoyed entertaining family and friends playing gin and dominoes and attending the horse races. Sam was also an accomplished pianist and organist and enjoyed playing for family and friends. He had a big heart, loved life and never met a stranger.

Sam was a member of the First Baptist Church in Monahans, Tx. He served on numerous boards including West Texas State Bank and Camp Sweeney at the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation. He started at Camp Sweeney at the age of 17 where he was first a camper and later became a counselor and board member. Sam was also a board member of the Ruidoso Jockey Club of Ruidoso, NM, the Elks Lodge in Childress and the Speech and Hearing Center in Amarillo Tx. He was also a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattleraisers Association.

The Vest family is like branches of a tree, we grow in different directions but our roots remain as one. We will continue the heritage of a legacy now in its sixth generation.

A private family graveside service and burial will take place at the Monahans Cemetery in Monahans, TX. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation, P. O. Box 918, Gainesville, Tx 76241.