Sam Bowman Browall

In loving memory of Sam Bowman Browall

Sam Bowman Browall, 85, of Lander, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2025, at his beloved home. Born on September 9, 1939, in Ada, Oklahoma, he was the son of Carl and Mary Elisabeth Browall. Sam was the middle of three brothers, with his older brother, Carl Jr., and younger brother, Kurt.

In 1949, Sam's family moved to Lander, Wyoming, when the town had a population of just 1,500, with dirt roads traveled by horses. In 1951, at the age of 12, Sam relocated with his family to La Cañada, California, after his father, who worked for Pacific Western Oil Company, was transferred there. During their three years in California, Sam developed a love for the beach, surfing, and fishing, and he also enjoyed gymnastics in school.

In 1954, the family returned to Lander and had the opportunity to purchase the beautiful Hillcrest Drive property. Sam cherished life in the countryside, often riding his horse, Queenie, everywhere he went. He also spent countless hours hunting and fishing with his father, passions that remained with him from his youth into adulthood.

Sam graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School in Lander with the Class of 1957. During his high school years, he enjoyed playing football as a defensive end.

The day after graduation, Sam and a few of his classmates enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, where he worked in flight training squadrons. Known for his excellent penmanship, he was entrusted with the responsibility of logging flight hours in instructors' logbooks.

While stationed in Pensacola, Sam met the love of his life, Molly West. The two married in 1960 and soon after returned to Wyoming, where Sam attended the University of Wyoming for a year. They later settled back in Lander, where they built their careers and raised their family.

Sam spent several years working for U.S. Steel as a machinery operator and electrician before advancing to an electrical crew foreman, a role he held for three years. Eventually, he pursued his entrepreneurial ambitions and built Mud and Suds Car Wash, which he successfully operated for a decade. The business proved to be highly profitable, allowing Sam to retire from it.

In retirement, he stayed busy working part-time in building maintenance for Lander Valley Insurance and continued to sell minnows.

Sam had a deep love for nature and the outdoors, spending much of his time hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, gold mining, and trapping. He also had a passion for discovering old bottles, arrowheads, and artifacts. His love of fishing took him on memorable trips with close friends to destinations like Mexico, Australia, and Alaska. During the warmer months, he found joy in gardening and maintaining his beautiful property. Sam also delighted in taking care of his chickens and the wild animals on his property during all seasons of the year.

Sam was also actively involved in the One-Shot Antelope Hunt, where he formed lasting friendships with many notable figures, including Jimmy Doolittle of the Tokyo Raiders, Roy Rogers, Chuck Yeager, and others.

Sam loved this country and the freedoms granted to its citizens by the Constitution of the United States. A flag will be presented in Sam's honor for serving his country by military servicemen at a family and close friends gathering during Memorial Day weekend.

Sam is survived by his children, stepson Steve Browall, Jan (Roehrkasse), and Julie (Ferwerda), as well as seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and his beloved black Maine Coon cat, Bud.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Molly, and his two brothers, Carl Jr. and Kurt.

In the final months of his life, a scripture that brought Sam comfort was John 11:25:
"Jesus said to Martha, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.'"

Arrangements are under the direction of Hudson's Funeral Home in Lander.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com