Abbas "Sam" Hassanshahi

Leon – Private Graveside Services for Mr. Abbas “Sam” Hassanshahi, 76, of Leon are scheduled at Leon Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Sam was born on April 26th, 1946 in Rafsanjan, Iran to the late Mr. Akbar Hassanshahi and Mrs. Sekineh Hassanshahi. He departed from this life on Friday October 21st, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.

Sam was raised in Iran and came to the United States when he turned 18. He attended college at Cooke County of Gainesville and worked primarily as a convenient store attendant most of his working days. Lastly, he was employed at the Avenue D Exxon of Denton. Sam was a great family man, he loved to spend time with all of his family. He liked to go for walks around the block with anyone who wanted to join him and was well known in town for that. When Max and Jesse were younger, he would kick balls around the yard with them. You could also catch him yelling at Lily to stop drinking pickle juice straight out of the jar, even though she never listened and did it anyway. He adored all of his grandchildren. You could always find him with a can of Coke in his hand and a stash of shredded beef jerky. He had a sweet tooth for Snickers and loved to eat pistachios, especially those he would receive from his brother overseas. He enjoyed watching television, especially his two favorite movies, Smokey and the Bandit and The Fox and the Hound. He loved to say “I’m freezing my b-b-b-beaks off!”. Playing Dominos was a past-time of his as well.

Preceding him in death are his parents, parents-in-law, Roy and Barbara Smith and brothers-in-law, Randy and Ollie Smith. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Kathy Smith of the home; daughters, Tina Renick of Thackerville and Lily Hassanshahi of Leon; sons, Max Hassanshahi and wife Amber and Jesse Hassanshahi and wife Tiffany, both of Leon; brother, Habib Hassanshahi and wife Salma, sister, Roghyeh Hassanshahi, both of Rafsanjan, Iran; 8 grandchildren, numerous other family and friends.

Sam will be remembered best as a loving husband, father, papa, uncle, brother, and friend who had the most infectious laugh and smile that could brighten anyone’s day.

Casket bearers are Michael Conner, Jesse Hassanshahi, Lily Hassanshahi, Omar Ramirez, Jacob Ruoff and Robert Carlile.

Honorary casket bearers are the owners of The Green Zatar in Denton, TX. Ali, Kim, Hormat and Hamed - our dad loved you all so much and enjoyed every trip we made with him.

Family night visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Condolences may be sent online at www.alexandergrayfh.com