Dr. Samuel Edward Tullock
Dr. Samuel Tullock was born on May 8, 1922 in St. Louis, Mo. He passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015 at the age of 93 in Vernon. He was the son of the late Walter Magnus Tullock and Anna Meade Tullock. Sam married the woman God created just for him, his beloved, Roberta Davis, on June 7, 1942 in St. Louis, Mo. She preceded him in death in December 2004. Dr. Tullock received an Associate of Arts Degree from Hannibal La Grange Junior College and while a student there he lettered in basketball. Sam loved baseball and while working in St. Louis he played in the Industrial League where he was scouted by the St. louis Cardinal organization and was given a try out.
Dr. Tullock was ordained to the gospel ministry on Aug. 24, 1941 by Tabernacle Baptist Church in St. Louis. While attending college at Hannibal La Grange he served as a pastor at Higsbee, MO; Philadelphia, MO. and later Bethany, Mo. During World War II, Dr. Tullock also served his country in the United States Marine Corp.
A move to Texas in August 1947 allowed Dr. Tullock and his wife to pastor a church at Mercer’s Gap in Comanche County Texas, while also completing his BA from Howard Payne University. Later he completed his MA from University of Texas. He attended Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and in 1971 received his Doctor of Divinity from Howard Payne University.
Dr. Tullock pastor First Baptist churches in Kyle, Merkel, Taylor, Gatesville, and Waxahachie, and Travis Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. He faithfully served 10 years as Director of Missions in Kaufman Van Zundt Baptist Association. In addition, Dr. Tullock served as a trustee for Mary Hardin Baylor University from 1963-1971. Served two terms on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas where he as well as served as moderator for the Convention.
For 10 years Dr. Tullock served on the Texas Baptist Mission Team where he participated in the Greater Ohio New Life Crusade; mission tours of Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as mission trips in the Northwest serving in Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Montana.
The Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention invited Sam to participate in the New Life Movement to the Far East in 1963. It was one of the largest evangelical endeavors at that time to spread the gospel to Asia.
Dr. and Mrs. Tullock moved to Vernon in 1979. They were members of First Baptist Church.
Perhaps one of the most unusual and most highly successful aspects of his ministry was the development of the First Person Messages which he had used from time to time. For each message he would choose a character surrounding the life of Christ, dressed in the first century costume of that person and preach to the twentieth century congregation as if he was that person come back to tell his story.
Celebrating Sam’s life are his daughter, Kim Jones and her husband Charlie, of Vernon and his son, Dr. Samuel Kyle Tullock and his wife, Kathy, of Wylie. Grandchildren who survive him are Matt Jones and wife Amy; Heather Smyder and husband Greg; Stephanie Breedlove and husband Jared, Mark Jones and wife Valarie, Anna Lamb and husband Jonathan; Sara Reeder and husband Jeremy.
Sam was adored and loved as “GG” by his great grandchildren Isabelle, Kyle, Soren, Blake, JoAnna, Emma, Olivia, Ava, and Jaxson.
Dr. Tullock was preceded in death by his adoring wife Roberta, his parents, a sister Marie Avellone, and a brother Ben Tullock, as well as his in-laws John and Minerva Sisk.
Sam was proud to be raised in St. Louis and amazed that God laid his hand on a young man from the streets of south St. Louis and that he was provided with so many opportunities to serve Him.
Sam will long be remembered for his love for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Longhorns, but his legacy is his love of the Lord, the love for his family and his love for the gospel.
Services will be held Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m., at First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Dr. Jim Freedman, Rev. Gib Baskerville, and his son Dr. Samuel Kyle Tullock. Interment will be held at Eastview Cemetery under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 23, 2015 at from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Sullivan Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to Gideon’s or First Baptist Church.
