Sam Mann

Service for Sam Mann, 94, of Cleburne will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Chapel. Reverend Josh Breslaw and Reverend Mark Ely will officiate. Burial will be at 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in Valley View Cemetery in Valley View, Texas. Visitation will be 6-8:00 P.M., Monday, December 27, 2021 at the funeral home.

Samuel “Sam” Mann, Jr. of Cleburne, Texas, passed away on December 20, 2021, surrounded by his family. Sam was born on November 28, 1927, in rural Cooke County, Texas, near Pilot Point. Sam was the first born of Euel “Bunk” Mann and Ida Mae Wessarges Mann.

Sam was a 1945 graduate of Pilot Point High School and enrolled in the North Texas Agriculture College in Arlington where he was in the ROTC program prior to enlisting in the US Navy where he served aboard the USS Andrew Jackson, USS Thuman, and shore duty as part of the US occupational forces in Japan.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Sam resumed his education by attending North Texas College and Texas Tech University graduating in 1952. In 1949, he married the love of his life and bride of 72 years, Dorothy Springer of Valley View, Texas. Dorothy was introduced to Sam by his father, a frequent customer at Valley View First National Bank where Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper. They were married in the Lois Baptist Church and then moved to Lubbock, Terrell, and McKinney, before permanently settling in Cleburne where they have lived continuously for 66 years.

Sam began his professional career as a County Agent in Kaufman and Collin counties with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. In 1955, he transferred to Johnson County where he received the 1963 Dow Study Tour award as the top County Agent in the state. During his time as County Agent, he promoted and expanded the 4-H clubs throughout the area. After 13 years with the Extension Service, he began a new career working as a fertilizer salesman in 40 north Texas counties for the BEST/Occidental Fertilizer company. With that experience, in 1969, Sam and Dorothy started Mann Agricultural Service, Inc. Working together, and as a family, they successfully grew and evolved into Mann Farm and Ranch over the next 42 years.

A farmer and rancher at heart, Sam purchased the Dick Harris farm in 1980 where he continuously farmed rye, oats, wheat, milo, and coastal hay, while building a herd of award-winning registered Shorthorn and Galloway cattle, along with crossbred hybrids. Sam also kept an ever-changing menagerie of animals from goats, donkeys, pigs, chickens, and llamas, with dogs and cats as well. He loved to teach children how to care for, love and appreciate animals of all kinds in the joy of animal husbandry.

Loving and dedicated father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Sam treasured his children and embraced every moment with them and their families. He especially loved his role as “Pop Pop”, as he was known by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing and teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren all about animals and gardening, complete with pasture drives, tractor rides, and harvesting the fruits and vegetables of his prolific garden. Sam was always welcoming and engaging with a big smile and firm handshake, as he truly lived his faith and loved people without judgement, he could be counted on to help those in need. Sam instilled strong core values of honesty, integrity, respect for others and their property, and the benefits of hard work in his children.

Sam was an active member and leader of the College Heights Baptist Church for over fifty years. The church was a very special place, near and dear to his heart, especially his pastor and Sunday School classmates. The Cleburne community benefited from Sam being a long-time member of the Lions Club, Johnson County Fair, FFA, 4-H supporter and purchaser, charter member of the Chisolm Trail Museum, and Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Sam is preceded in death by his father, Euel "Bunk“ Mann, and mother, Ida Mae Wessarges Mann; and, sister Mary Gean Mann. He is survived by his brother, Jack Mann of Ft. Worth, Texas. Sam is also survived by his wife, Dorothy Springer Mann, and their children, Jim Mann, (wife, Judi) of Beaumont, Texas; Mike Mann of Cleburne (wife, Tracy); Cynthia Mann (husband, Brough Stewart) of Phoenix, Arizona; and Patricia Mann Phillips (husband, Tim Phillips) of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren; Adam Mann (wife, Hollie and great grandchildren, Kennan, Haddie, and Asa), Erin Johnson (husband, Eric Johnson and great grandchildren Emma and Ethan), Kelby Mann, Emily Allison (husband, Nathan Allison), Jacob Mann, Jake Pieper (wife, Angela), Kendra Bailey (husband, Patrick and children, Matt, Jared, and Cole), along with a host of other relatives and close friends.

Jim Mann, Mike Mann, Adam Mann, Tim Phillips, Brough Stewart, and Eric Johnson will serve as Pallbearers, and Kelby Mann, Jacob Mann, Jacob Pieper, and Patrick Bailey as Honorary Pallbearers.


The family would like to thank all those who so lovingly cared for Sam during his final days, including AlevCare Hospice, Vanessa Zeleya, Sherri Clark, Tammy Wylie, and Lacy Allred.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests in honoring Sam’s wishes that donations may be made to College Heights Baptist Church, Cleburne, Texas, or the American Red Cross.

Online condolences may be left on Sam Mann’s Memorial Tribute at www.cpcleburne.com.