Funeral services for James LeRoy Sams, 58, of Biddle, Mont., will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church in Sheridan with the Rev. Douglas Goodwin officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with military honors by the Wyoming National Guard and American Legion Post No. 7.

Mr. Sams died Thursday, July 8, 2010, of cancer in Gillette surrounded by loved ones. He was born July 9, 1951, to Lee Roy and Virginia Sams in Sheridan.

He attended elementary schools in the Moorehead and Bayhorse areas and finished his high school education in Bozeman, Mont., and Hulett.

He spent years working with his family on the ranch before being drafted into the Army. He served during the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1972 and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He married in 1970 and had two daughters. He spent many years being a truck driver and hauling loads all across the U.S. and Canada. He truly loved being behind the wheel and getting to see the country. He returned to his first love, the ranch, after his father's illness and remained the genuine cowboy he was known to be.

He was a true cowboy who loved working with cows, riding horses, watching the PBR, spending time with family and friends and guiding hunters. He will be remembered as a hard-working, fun-loving friend, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Christiansen and Janine Ehrler of Gillette; his brother, Bill Buckendahl of California; and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his father and brothers Bobby Sams and Harry Sams.

Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent via the Internet. Go to The News-Record's website at www.gillettenewsrecord.com and attach your comments to the obituary.

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