Sam K. Scism

Mr. Samuel K. "Sam" Scism passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at his Farmington residence at the age of 96 years, 3 months & 9 days. Sam was the son of Thomas Gilbert Scism and Myrtle C. 'Tanner' Scism, and was born Feb. 2, 1914, near Leora in Western Stoddard Co., in Southeast Missouri. Also preceding-in-death were: his 1st wife, Ruth Elizabeth 'Barham' Scism (1969); a daughter in-infancy, Linda Kaye Scism and 2 brothers: Thatcher Scism and Byron Scism.

Sam was a 32nd Degree Mason and the oldest surviving member of the Elvins Masonic Lodge. Sam was a US ARMY Veteran and a member of the Farmington ELKS; Farmington VFW and the Moolah Temple Lodge of St. Louis.

Sam was like most young men of that time. You didn't have a career in those days; you had a job... if you could find one. Life expectancy was something around 45 years... and any education beyond the 4th grade was unusual. But Sam had higher aspirations.

He tells the story of plowing a field on his father's farm, walking behind a mule wrestling a single row plow, when he looked up to see a guy driving a new convertible... perhaps a '28 mode.... along the road. Right then and there, he decided the view from the car was a lot better than the view from his plow, and decided he wanted to be that guy.

Sometimes dreams are delayed as things often go, so Sam got a teaching certificate instead, and like his father, became a schoolteacher for a while. But driving a new car... selling a new car... can be a powerful idea.

In 1937, and with 2 cousins in partnership, they opened Bloomfield Auto Sales. Now Bloomfield, in Stoddard Co., is a farming area... it was natural that Bloomfield Tractor Sales soon followed, and with it came the need to have a place to keep the trade-ins... you know, the ones with a mind of their own... horses, mules, cattle... and ponies.

Tragedy has a way of intervening in life... one of his cousins was killed in an auto accident, and the business in Bloomfield was dissolved. But The Ford Motor Company wanted Sam to remain a dealer and Sam soon found himself buying a new dealership in a totally new area.

In 1954, Sam Scism Motors was born on 1215 Lewis Street in Flat River, MO. He started from scratch again, working hard to remember the convertible driving down the road instead of the rear end of that mule. With a growing family to support, the business was his life. Some said he would never last 60 days. Some of his first sales came from customers who drove 100 miles from Bloomfield.

He had to advertise, so he created a radio commercial many still remember... with a tom-tom drumbeat in the background, 6-year old Charles Samuel belted out "Sam Scism Motors wants to trade." In one newspaper ad Sam said he would trade for any old dog... so to test the ad, a fellow brought one in, and Sam took as down payment a registered Dalmation named "Eber." For a time, a pony came with the purchase of a new Ford... and true to his roots, he welcomed trade-ins of all kinds... horses, mules, cattle.

In 1969, the old building on Lewis Street was just too small, so he built a new facility on Highway 67, just south of Leadington. Tragically, just weeks before the Grand Opening, his wife Ruth passed away... but Sam went on. Charles Samuel was just 18, his brother William Kent was 13 and they became part of the business nearly overnight.

In 1976, Sam married Vera. As time went on, Charles and Kent were doing more and Sam began to do a little less. But generally he could still tell you what a customer traded in on a new car what color it was and probably the price.

When Flat River Junior College set out to become Mineral Area College, Sam was there too, as a major supporter and benefactor. He is a member of the Farmington ELKS Lodge; the Moolah Shrine of St. Louis. Sam is Past-President of the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and has severed on numerous community Boards of Directors.

Survivors Include: his wife, Alvera 'Fisher' Scism; 3 Sons: Charlie (& Vickie) Scism; Kent (& Angie) Scism; Gary (& Beverly) Robinson, all of Farmington. 12 Grandchildren: Charles David (& Amber) Scism; Victoria Scism; Lauren, Taylor and Katie Scism; Jeffrey Wright, Carla Gibbs, Amy Vadnais, Lisa Graves, Todd Crawford, Amanda Gutshall and Angela Gross. 7 Great-Grandchildren.

Visitation Thursday, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at SAM SCISM MOTORS.

Visitation Friday, 2-9 p.m., at TAYLOR Funeral Service

Visitation Saturday, starting at 9:00 a.m., at Park Hills First Baptist Church - 12 No. Coffman St., Park Hills, MO. 63601 (573) 431.3576

Funeral : Saturday, 10:00 a.m., May 15, 2010, at Park Hills First Baptist Church, with Rev. Stephen Brownfield officiating.

Visitation & Services will resume Saturday @ 2 p.m. at the Chiles_Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Bloomfield Cemetery - Bloomfield, MO.

Memorials to: Park Hills First Baptist Church.