The Arcadia Round Barn will celebrate the life and legacy of beloved volunteer and storyteller Samuel “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy with a special “Celebration of Life & 3rd Annual Mr. Sam’s Barn Dance” on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The afternoon begins at 3:30 p.m. with greetings, stories and memories shared by friends and family, followed by an open mic. At 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy a video tribute, sandwiches and Mr. Sam’s favorite cookies.
The evening wraps up with live music and dancing from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. featuring The Joe Baxter Band.
Come share memories, celebrate a remarkable life, and help keep Mr. Sam’s spirit alive at the historic Arcadia Round Barn.
This event is free and open to the public. Questions, call the Round Barn Gift Shop (405) 396-2286.
SAMUEL D. “MR. SAM” GILLASPY
March 24, 1927 – August 19, 2026
Samuel D. “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy, 99, passed away on August 19, 2026, from congestive heart failure. Born in Binger, Oklahoma, on March 24, 1927, he graduated from Central High School in 1945 and went on to live a remarkable life defined by service, hard work, friendship, and an extraordinary love of people.
In many ways, Mr. Sam was the face of the historic Arcadia Round Barn. For more than twenty years, he brought the barn’s history to life with his signature cowboy hat and boots, infectious smile, boundless energy, and gift for making everyone feel welcome. Every Monday morning was his volunteer day, and as a dedicated docent and President Emeritus of the Arcadia Historical & Preservation Society, he shared the stories of the Round Barn, the Arcadia community, and Route 66 with visitors from around the world.
A natural storyteller and passionate volunteer, Mr. Sam became one of the Round Barn’s most beloved ambassadors. He was frequently interviewed by television stations and newspapers, but his greatest joy was meeting people face-to-face, sharing a colorful story, and making new friends. Visitors who made their way upstairs to the barn’s famous wooden dance floor might even find themselves dancing the Texas Two-Step or waltz with Mr. Sam. He always had another story to tell, often accompanied by a little humor and a twinkle in his eye.
His love of sharing history and bringing people together extended well beyond the Round Barn to his Rock of Ages Farm, three miles east of Arcadia. For nearly forty years, he welcomed thousands of visitors to the farm for tours, fellowship, hayrides, and unforgettable adventures. Whether at the farm or the barn, Mr. Sam had a special way of turning an ordinary visit into a lasting memory.
A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Sam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen and served during World War II. Following the war, he began a forty-year career with the Dolese Company. Along the way, he raised a family, farmed, volunteered, and devoted much of his life to helping others and serving his community.
Mr. Sam married Betty Covington in 1948, and they shared a life together until her passing in 1969 at the age of 43. He later married Martha Futrell, who remained his loving life partner until her passing in 2015. In his later years, Jeannie Vollmer became his steady companion and dance partner, sharing in his love of music, friendship, and life.
Even well into his nineties, Mr. Sam continued to visit the Round Barn, greet old friends and welcome new visitors, share stories, and occasionally take to the dance floor upstairs. His enthusiasm for life and genuine interest in others never diminished. He was a familiar and cherished presence whose warmth, humor, and hospitality left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to meet him.
Mr. Sam is survived by his loving daughters, Rita Thiel and Cynthia Provenzano, along with other family members.
His passing marks the loss of a truly special individual whose life touched thousands of people. His legacy is woven into the history of the Arcadia Round Barn, the community he loved, and the countless friendships he made along Route 66. Though he will be deeply missed, his stories will continue to be told, his laughter will be remembered, and his spirit will live on wherever people gather to share a story, lend a helping hand, or take a turn on the dance floor.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Sam Gillaspy will be held at the Arcadia Round Barn on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Friends and family are invited to gather at 3:30 p.m. for an informal celebration and to share their favorite stories and memories of Mr. Sam. Sandwiches and cookies will be served at 5:00 p.m., followed by the 3rd Annual Mr. Sam Barn Dance at 5:30 p.m., featuring live music in the Round Barn loft.
In true Mr. Sam fashion, the celebration will be an opportunity to remember a life well lived, reconnect with friends, share a few stories, and perhaps enjoy a dance in his honor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arcadia Round Barn in memory of Mr. Sam at www.arcadiaroundbarn.com
