Sam passed at home on Sunday, the 14th of April, under one of his favorite trees, with the love and care of his family and friends.

He is survived by his children Brent Sipes, Jon Sipes, Allison Sipes, and Chris Sipes; by one grandchild, Pedro Augustus Salguero; and by his brother and sister of Amarillo, Tony Sipes and Jo Ellen Marshall. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elyse Sipes; his parents, Ruby and Ernest Sipes; his nephew, Mark Sipes; and his mother, Ruth Inez Sipes.

Sam, a practicing attorney in El Paso, was born in Canadian, Texas on September 13, 1939. His family relocated to Amarillo, where Sam played football and baseball for Palo Duro High School and was graduated as its valedictorian for the class of 1958. Entering Yale University after graduation, he took a hiatus to serve in the US Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Yale and was graduated with a B.S. in 1965. He entered the University of Texas Law School in Austin and was graduated with a J.D. in 1969. His success in scholastics and interests in literature and history, as well as his ethics as an attorney, had as their genesis his parents, Ruby, who taught school, and Ernest, a well-regarded commercial builder who fought in Italy during World War II.

Sam loved the law in its purest form and, in most instances, its practice. He was a voracious reader and his love of literature and history lives on in his family and was apparent in his ability and openness to create new stories with all kinds of people, many of whom became his friends. Sam was quick to share his humor and candor, but with those he loved and cared for, he was deliberate. His love and respect was reflected back to him by his family and friends in his daily life, his garden, his favorite El Paso spots, and on the golf course and his wide travels often accompanied by his dog, Misha.

We love you Pappa. We always will.

Please consider donating to the El Paso Remembrance Tree Program (https://www.elpasotexas.gov/parks/parks-planning/remembrance-tree-program/).

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 03, at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave. El Paso, Texas 79906.

Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West.