“Sam” B. Bales, Jr.

A graveside service for Sam B. Bales, Jr., 93, of Reklaw, was held at 2 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at Walker’s Chapel Cemetery in Reklaw and Rev. Patrick Evans officiated.

Sam was born on April 10, 1932, to Samuel B. Sr. and Carrie Lee (Styles) Bales, in Beaumont, and passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in Reklaw.

Sam led an exciting life full of amazing accomplishments and experiences. He was raised in Dallas and worked there as a machinist for Bell Helicopter.  Later, in the early 70’s, the family moved to Walker’s Chapel community, near Reklaw, where he worked for Texas Power and Light Company at Lake Stryker until retiring in 1987.  

Sam also was a radio operator for the US Air Force stationed in England during the Korean conflict, later becoming a “HAM”.  As a young boy he enjoyed taking radios apart and then rebuilding them to see how they worked. He was good with his hands and built a fiberglass fishing boat in his garage and later rebuilt a wooden ski boat with enough coats of paint that it shined like fiberglass.  Sam and Pat enjoyed sailing and flying and he became a pilot after retiring.  He rebuilt and recovered an old Stinson that is still being flown today by others. One time, Sam painted an oil landscape – just to prove that he could!  He drew the plans for their barn and house, then built them after clearing, by hand, the 20 acres they sit on.  He built a whole lot of fencing.  He enjoyed taking care of the cows and land, but most of all Sam liked to build things.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Darrell Lynn Bales; and sister, Madlyn Strelke.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 69 years, Patricia Ann (Tait) Bales; son, Russell Lee Bales and wife, Tammy, of Reklaw; daughters, Sheryl McLeroy and husband, Tony, of Jacksonville; Samantha Sides, of Midland; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.