E.L. “Sam” Bass graduated from Ackerly High School at the age of 16. He married Johnette Carr at 17, and attended college at Baylor University before being drafted into the army immediately following the Korean War. Upon graduating from college, Elwyn served as a teacher and principal at Dawson High School, superintendent at Grady ISD, Follett ISD, and Stratford ISD. He retired in 1990 after 35 in public education. Elwyn married Jo Anna Morton in 1994. He then returned to his teaching roots at Faith Lutheran School in Sugar Land, TX, and taught and coached basketball for 10 years. Elwyn was always active in the churches and the communities in which he lived. He served many years as a deacon of First Baptist Church in Stratford. Most recently, he served on the board for the Parkway United Methodist Church in Sugar Land, TX.
Sam was a strong Christian and family man. He was known for his love of singing the older hymns. He loved his family, and he loved to play golf and eat chocolate kisses. He was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His love for life and the good he always saw in people earned him many friends. He was also passionate about the students, faculty, and parents in the communities where he served. His love for sports and kids earned him the honor of having the stadium at Stratford High School named after him - E.L. “Sam” Bass Stadium.
Elwyn was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his children, Johnette; infant son Michael; brothers Joe Bass and Roger Bass.
Elwyn is survived by his wife, Jo Anna; sister-in-law Nancy Bass; brother George Bass and wife Gloria; daughter Gina and husband Bill Flores; son John Bass and wife Christi; daughter Leigh and husband Brian Jackson; stepchildren Patricia and husband Fernando Fernandez; Mark Johlke and wife Anita; Jennifer and husband Robert McMillin; eleven grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors Friday, April 28, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at Parkway United Methodist Church, 5801 New Territory Blvd. in Sugar Land. The graveside services will be held Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Cypress Cemetery in Cypress (Winnsboro), TX. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Parkway United Methodist Church or the Stratford Education Foundation, Box 121, Stratford, TX, 79084.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18