Sammy Porras

Sammy Porras, age 78, passed away on June 11, 2026, in Lubbock TX.

He was a kind and patient man, with a memory that held onto everything that mattered. This was represented best in the story he loved to tell about the day he asked Mamo out. Even after all these years, he could tell you the date, the time, the song that was playing, what she was wearing, and the class she had just walked out of. That’s the kind of man he was — fully present for the moments that counted.

Maria (Grace) Porras was his high school sweetheart and became the love of his life. They shared 60 years together, with 58 of those as a married couple.

Sam was a meticulous, organized man with a sense of humor, which is exactly why Mamo was never allowed to put things away. He believed there was a place for everything, while Mamo used the “cram and slam” method. He used to lovingly joke that when he opened the cabinet doors, the containers would roll into the neighbor's yard.

For 38 years, Sammy worked as a custodian for Eddy School. He retired briefly, then returned to work for 3 more years at St. Edward’s Catholic School. To him, it was never simply a job. The safety of the students and faculty always came first. He was their “bouncer”, and he carried that responsibility with quiet pride.

Above all, Sammy was a family man. Everyone knew him as Papo. His kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were his entire world, and he loved every one of them with everything he had. He was a grateful man, thankful for the life he got to live, the people he got to share it with, and nothing meant more to him than his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maria (Grace) Porras, children Samuel (Roseanne) Porras and Lucretia Porras, sisters Eva (Pat) Setrak and Alicia (Mandel) Balderrama, grandchildren Jessica (Ron Abernathy) Porras, Danielle (Salvatore) Giuliano, Sammy (Kaila) Porras, Kimberly Porras, Devin Ellis, Timothy Porras, Kevin Porras, Sharron Porras, and great-grandchildren Saryla Rogers, Allana Rogers, Jayce Porras, Noah Giuliano, Gabriel Giuliano, Jaiden Contreras, and Esmeralda Porras. He was preceded in death by his son, Jessie Porras, parents Audelia and Jesus Porras, and in-laws Jesusita (Susie) and Cruz Lopez.

Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing at Denton-Wood Funeral Home on Monday, June 22,2026 starting at 5:00 PM, with prayer of the Holy Rosary to follow at 6:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at San Jose Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM with Fr. Juan Carlos Ramirez officiating. Sammy will be laid to rest at Carlsbad Cemetery, and a meal will be served at San Jose Hall immediately following the burial.