Sammy Bingham

Sammy J. Bingham, age 81

Date of Birth:  2/14/39

Date of Death: 1/7/21

Sammy Bingham was born in Spur, Texas to Alfie (Penny) and Mildred Bingham.  The oldest of 7 children, Sammy grew up in Albuquerque and Farmington.

Sammy married Donna Sheets on August 1, 1959 in Farmington, New Mexico and they were married for 61 years.  Sammy was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Jack.  He is survived by Donna and their four children, Garry Bingham (LaDonna) of Chandler, AZ, Diana Richardson (Dave) of Calumet, OK, Teresa (Doug) Hunt of Farmington, and Tami Jones (Glen Gore) of Aztec and his “semi-attached” dog, Doobie.  He is also survived by siblings June (Bill) Garrison, Linda Foutz, Cheryl Kelly, Larry (Marsha) Bingham and Laura Valdez.  Sammy and Donna have 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Family was really important to Sam.  He enjoyed close relationships with his siblings and his wife and children.  Because of his close relationships, the children had the benefit of growing up with their cousins and getting together at big family gatherings.

Sammy was retired from Public Service Company of New Mexico and he was also a used car dealer.  Sammy and Donna and Donna’s mother, Doris Sheets, also started Broadway Gifts and Flowers.  Sam was an incredibly smart man and he could fix anything.  Even when Sammy went mostly blind, he was still able to fix things around the house by touch.  After their retirement, Sammy and Donna enjoyed traveling in their motor home with their motor home club.  Sammy was a strong man, a fighter to the end and didn’t let his cancer slow him down much.  There will be a big void left in the hearts of his family members, and Sammy will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Sammy’s life will be held Friday, January 15th, at 11:00 a.m. at Sagebrush Church, 1501 Sunrise Parkway in Farmington.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons.  Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery.  Masks and social distancing will be required for attendance.

The family would like to thank Dr. Burns, and ICU nurses Ben and Lori for being such exemplary caregivers in Sam’s final days.