SAM AULT

SAN ANGELO - Sam Lowry Ault passed away on Friday, March 9, 2007 at Trisun Meadow Creek Care Center. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2007 at Sherwood Cemetery in Sherwood, TX with Robert Massie Funeral Home. Sam Lowry Ault was born June 26, 1912 in Big Hollow, west of Mertzon near Irion City. He was the middle son of Tom and Ethel Ault and grandson of Thomas Jefferson Ault, one of the founding fathers of Irion City in Irion County. In 1929, he married Marie Jones and they lived on the Ike Funk ranch until they left for California, so Sam could be in the movies. He met director Jack Sullivan with Warner Brothers studio while looking at an apartment in Hollywood and was hired on the spot. Sam was in various movies including the Buck Jones Serials, "Dive Bombers", "The Westerners", "One With the Gun", "The Santa Fe Trail" with Erroll Flynn and Howard Hughs's "The Outlaw" with Jane Russell where he met his longtime friend, Ben Johnson, who was on his first trip to Hollywood bringing paint horses from Oklahoma. When son Ike was born in 1941, he was Gary Cooper's double in "Sergeant York". He also doubled for Ronald Reagan on several occasions. After returning to Texas, he bought livestock for the movie studios and transported the cattle and horses to California. In his lifetime, he had partnerships with five different auction barns in West Texas, the first being the Producers Auction in San Angelo, which was started by him, his father, brother and J.C. Snow. He also bought cattle for Lillie White Packing House in Los Angeles and Toveri Feed Yards in Arizona. He spent many years dealing in livestock and real estate in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Marie Jones Ault, brother TJ Ault of Lampasses, brother Elzie Ault, oldest great-grandson Michael Brown and step-children David and Jan Nelson, all of San Angelo. Survivors include wife Ann Ault, son, Ike Ault and his wife, Maggie, sister-in-law Velma Ault and her daughter, Jeanie of San Angelo. Grandchildren are Brent Ault of Comfort, Sabrina and husband Lon Webster of Ft Worth, Amber and husband Andrew Jens of Vienna, Virginia and step-grandchildren Tonya and husband Ross Harlow of Weatherford; along with four great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a man who lived life to the fullest. As Sam said about his life "There are so many stories in this head of mine, memories of good and bad times, the characters and places I have experienced. I have been blessed with a long and very good life". The family would like to give a special thanks to Belmore Baptist Church, the staff at Trisun Meadow Creek Care Center and Vista Care, your loving care of Sam meant so much to us. In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorials be given to the Texas Boys Ranch Foundation in memory of Sam and his great-grandson, Michael.