Simon Peter “Sam” Britt passed away early, on the morning of November 17, 2020, after reaching the age of 90 years old with the love of his life by his side.
Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM on Friday, November 20th and Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 21st at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Fr. Jason Pettigrew as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.
Whoever chooses to attend Sam’s services, masks will be required.
Sam was born on October 26, 1930, to Buck and Maude Britt in Wheeler, Texas. At an early age, he learned the value of hard work at the Wheeler Ranch. In 1942, he moved with his family to the place where he would spend the majority of his life, the Pasamonte Ranch 32 miles west of Clayton, NM. He attended and graduated from Clayton High School. He spent two years at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, and heard the call of service at the onset of the Koren War. He proudly served the United States of America in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. During this time he boxed for the Navy and went on to become the Light-heavyweight Champion of the Atlantic Fleet.
While attending school in Clayton, he met the love of his life, Ms. Rosa Lee Zurick. The two would wed on July 6, 1953, and would be almost inseparable for over 67 years. They traveled to countless horse races together with friends and family, visited the Holy Land, attended countless activities their grandchildren were involved in, and even went on an African safari. Rosa Lee would be his protector, business partner, his confidant, his caretaker, his angel, and his best friend for the remainder of his life. Everything that they did, they did together.
Sam and Rosa Lee had three beautiful daughters that he was prouder of than anything. Sandy, Shelley, and Sammie were truly his pride and joy. They were raised on the ranch to work like men, and did! He would be the first to match them in anything from foot races to cowboying. The three girls would later marry and come back to the area to raise their families close to their daddy.
Sam was a cowboy, and more importantly a cowman. He lived on the ranch from the time he got home from the Navy until he passed. He lived in such a way that the ranch would have been proud of him. He took great care in ensuring that everything needed to raise good cattle was provided by the ranch through his hard work and wise decisions. He was always wanting to go for a drive around it with friends, family, or alone because of his genuine love for the land and the animals that it took care of.
Racehorses were his favorite hobby. Whether it was a claimer or a world champion he loved watching them run and did so in person until he was 88. After a stroke left him immobile, he watched them on TV. While all of his horses weren’t runners, there were a good many that were. He had a world champion quarter horse, Pasamonte Paul, that he spoke of as a best friend and numerous black-type winners including Grade 1 winner Gabriel Charles. Sam was always looking forward to the next race and the opportunity to take family, and/or friends to watch his horses.
One of the things that Sam was proudest of was his Catholic faith. He joined the Church in 1996 and practiced the faith daily. He attended Mass with his wife and family every week and could often be seen working his rosary beads in prayer and thanksgiving. He lived by the example set in the Bible. He was beyond generous, often without anyone knowing. He never looked the other way when help was needed, but rather lent help any way he could. He was kind, honest, trustworthy, and loving.
Sam Britt wasn’t perfect. He, like all of us, was flawed. As he aged, however, he found a truth that only living can teach. While he lived life to the fullest, it was fullest when he put God above everything else and Rosa Lee right behind Him. He will be remembered in many ways, but by those closest to him, as an example of how to be a good man and a great servant of God.
In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by a son-in-law; Clint Wyley on August 17, 2010, a granddaughter; Clare Emily Wood on August 10, 2014, his brother; Max H. Britt on February 12, 1966.
SURVIVORS:
WIFE: Rosa Lee Britt of Passamonte, New Mexico.
3 DAUGHTERS: Sammie Wood and her husband Chip of Passamonte, New Mexico, Sandy Wyley-Vaughn and her husband Barry Vaughn of Stead, New Mexico and Shelly Carter and her husband Ross of Clayton, New Mexico.
Grandchildren: Sam and Kathleen Wyley, Cydni and Bart Wyatt, Kyle and Andy Wyley, Chase and Jamie Carter, Britt and Jeremy Fisk, Rozann and Sean Lee, Sally Rastogi and Gus and Megan Wood.
Great-Grandchildren: Clint Wyley, Max Wyley, Lilly Wyatt, Lara Wyatt, Luke Wyatt, Sttephed Ross carter, Tatum Carter, Rosa Lee Carter, Carter Fisk, Peter Fisk, John Paul Fisk, Sophie Fisk, Genevieve Fisk, Henry Fisk, Lucy Fisk, Agnes Fisk, Kolbe Hoss Lee, Flannery Lee, George Lee, baby Lee on the way, Arav Rastogi and Bryce Wood.
