Samuel David Birmingham

Samuel David Birmingham was born on February 6, 1952, in Pine Bluff, AR. Sam (as he was known to his friends and family) passed away, with his daughters and wife by his side, in Houston, TX on July 22, 2023.

Sam spent his childhood years as an Airforce brat getting to live in places he loved such as Michigan, Arkansas, and California.  During his high school years the family settled in Shreveport, LA.  Sam was a 1971 graduate of Captain Shreve High School.  Soon after graduation he met the love of his life Lisa and they married January 23, 1976. 

From early on Sam was a go getter, always building or re-building things.  He loved being his own boss. His first leap of faith was opening The Rusty Nail (“Shreveport’s Finest Little Beverage House”) on Christmas Eve, 1976.   That little beverage house brought in the best live music Shreveport had seen. Room Service (Jim and Julie), Mark Yorloff and the Legendary Trout Fishing in America, to name a few.  The Rusty Nail was a place where the memories made cannot be counted. 

By the mid 80’s Sam decided a different path would be best for a family life.  Marine Detail and Sales was the beginning of a new journey which he enjoyed immensely.  After many years in the boat business, he moved across Texas Street and bought Allstate Transmissions. 

A few years later, in true Sam fashion he decided he would like to do something new. He found a BBQ restaurant that needed a breath of fresh air and he did just that.  He enjoyed owning Sammy’s Smokehouse for many years.  He loved his employees, visiting with his customers and serving delicious food.

In September of 2011 he gave up entrepreneurship and began working with lifelong best friends and family at Tadlock Pipe and Rentals.  His gift of gab allowed him to sell and rent drill pipe with ease.  It was another career he truly enjoyed. 

Of all the things he did in life he was the best at being a dad and later a Papa to his 3 precious grandchildren.  Family life was always important to him even with the constant attention required from owning his own businesses. He was a dad that you could depend on no matter what.  Anything his girls wanted to do he supported them whole heartedly and asked how he could help.  He was not just a dad to his own two but to all the friends of his girls as well.  You knew if you spent any time at their house he was going to treat you like his own.  Especially if you parked in the wrong spot in his driveway. 

He gave his all to his family.  No matter what they needed or wanted he made it happen.  As the years went on he completed countless projects because Lisa or the girls asked him to.  From renovating a camper and house boats to building furniture, knocking out walls and remodeling kitchens.  He could and did do it all.  His most recent hobbies included rebuilding and selling golf carts, spending time on his houseboats and his newest project redoing a 1951 Chevy truck he wanted for years.     

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Col. Bud & Barbara Birmingham; sister, Donna Ann DeBaker; sister Rebecca Walters and nephew Robert Barney.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Lisa Locke Birmingham, his two daughters Heather Birmingham (Natalie) of Shreveport, LA, Jennifer Birmingham Lee (Will) of Los Angeles, CA, two grandsons, Cash and Lane and one granddaughter Lily, brother Robert "Bubba" Birmingham; sister, Marion Gill, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and his best canine friend Murphy.

A Memorial honoring Sam will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 12:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers memorials in his name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.