Samuel J. Batt

Samuel J. “Sam” Batt, age 78, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2025, in Amarillo, TX.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Rector Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St.

Sam was born Jan. 10, 1947, in Shattuck, Okla., to Samuel Batt and Hulda Meier Batt, the youngest of nine children. His family later moved to Logan, Okla., where he attended Victory Country School for grade school and graduated from Laverne High School in 1965. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Amarillo, where he would live for the rest of his life.

On Feb. 16, 1979, Sam married the love of his life, Laurie Batt. They were married for 39 wonderful years, sharing a life full of laughter, hard work, and deep love for their family.

Sam was a man of many talents and had an unstoppable work ethic. Over the years, he owned and operated a variety of businesses, including a pawn shop, a Snap-on tool truck, a body shop, a salvage yard, and an RV park. He had a sharp mind for business and had a hands-on approach to everything he did.

Sam had a deep love for the outdoors and anything with an engine. He enjoyed canoeing, skiing, and fishing, and he could often be found tinkering in the garage, working on engines just for the joy of figuring them out. He was a natural problem-solver and was always willing to lend a hand or share a story.

Sam will be remembered for his hardworking spirit, his love of adventure, his mechanical mind, and most of all, the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he leaves behind.

Survivors include two sisters, Mary Nichols, and Pauline Ditto and husband Dale, all of Oklahoma; three sons, Paul Cross of Dallas, Darren Batt and wife Lisa of Woodward, Okla., and Robert Batt of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Sean Batt and wife Sydnee, Hunter Batt and wife Bethany, Brittney Wheeler and husband Noah, Amanda Batt, and Lacie Dawson and husband Marc; and five great-grandchildren, Brayleigh, Gyntry, Dawson, Parker, Zane and Micah. He is also survived by his beloved companion, Rusty, who was always by his side no matter where he was.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Laurie Batt; his parents, Samuel and Hulda Batt; his brothers, Lelyn Batt, George Batt, and Paul Batt; and his sisters, Rosie Pope, Margaret Heil and Charlotte Brooks.