James Samuel Lee "Sam" Christopher, age 80, died Monday, January 10, 2022, at Veterans Regional Hospital in Oklahoma City.  Sam was born November 30, 1941, in Lamar, Colorado, the son of Evelyn (Dunn) and Robert E. Lee Christopher.  The Christopher family moved to Hooker in 1954 from Colorado. Sam attended the Hooker school system, graduating with the Hooker High School Class of 1959.

Sam proudly served his country, joining the United States Army in 1964.  He was stationed in Louisiana, Virginia, Korea, and Texas. While stationed at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia, he married his hometown sweetheart, Marie Dorsch, on May 28, 1964. He was honorably discharged in 1967 as a Technical Sergeant (E-5).  Upon returning home, he attended college at Panhandle State University, graduating in 1970 with degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics.

The couple had two children, Kristi Lee, born in 1969, and Mindi Marie, born in 1972. Sam put his chemistry degree to use, working for many years in the agricultural field, before changing professions and becoming a drug and alcohol counselor at Panhandle Treatment Center. After retiring, Sam and Marie moved from Guymon to Moore, Oklahoma, to be closer to their daughter, Kristi.

Sam was an avid OU Sooner fan. He enjoyed travel to mountains and beaches and loved to fish.  Most of all, Sam loved spending time with his family, especially Sophia and Gavin Farley, who were like grandchildren to Sam and Marie.

Sam was formerly a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Guymon, and a current member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Moore, Oklahoma.  He regularly attended Senior Saints and Wednesday bible studies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mindi; brother, David Christopher; nephew, Jay Quimby; great-great nephew, Brenden Farley; brothers-in-law, Buster Farley, Jack Dorsch, Charles Smith, and Gene Quimby.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Christopher; daughter Kristi Christopher of Norman; sisters, Jean Smith of Pueblo, Colorado, and Marsha Smith of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Clara Quimby, Carol Farley, Kathy Christopher, and Janice Dorsch; nieces, Nicole, Tricia, Debbie, Michelle, Pam, and Courtney; nephews, Jimmy, Lyndon, Norman, Mike, Billy, Brent, and Doug; great niece, Kylie Pucket, and great-nephew, Rory Farley.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guymon.  Inurnment with military honors will follow in Hooker Cemetery, Hooker, Oklahoma.  Arrangements are by Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home of Guymon.  Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com .