Obituary of Samuel Durwood Judah

Mr. Samuel Durwood Judah, a resident of Ozark, died Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, at the age of 88. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Reformation Church (formerly Ozark Presbyterian Church) with Reverend John D. Reese III officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home and Cremations of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until service time. Mr. Judah was born November 11, 1933 in the Mabson Community of Dale County to the late James Oscar Judah and Willie Belle Snell Judah. He graduated from Dale County High School in 1952 where he was affectionally known as “Troph” for the many sports awards and trophies he received while playing football and baseball. He later played baseball for the Detroit Tigers organization. He was a United States Air Force Veteran, served as an agent, District Manager and Regional Sales Manager for Farm Bureau Insurance Agency. Along with his brother-in-law, Aubrey Leatherwood, he acquired and established Circle Insurance Agency. He established and founded FOX WDAU Television and Blue Springs Water. He enthusiastically served his community in many ways, including Chairman of the March of Dimes, Ozark-Dale County Chamber of Commerce President, Mason in Ozark Masonic Lodge 349, Clerk of the Session and Ruling Elder of the Ozark Presbyterian Church, Ozark City Board of Education, Ozark Civic Center Board, Youth Baseball Coach, Ozark Man of The Year, and a member of the Ozark Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He loved people, going places (anywhere), enjoyed life and was a fierce competitor who loved sports. He especially enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participating in all their many activities. He figured that if you are going to keep score you might as well play to win. Mr. Judah was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend to everyone who knew him. He loved unconditionally and always was concerned about and cared for everyone else. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Kathleen Leatherwood and Lydia Naomi Judah; his brother, Herman Oscar Judah; brothers-in-law, Aubrey Leatherwood, Tom Wynn, Max Leatherwood and Larry Free; and sisters-in-law, Fannie Rae Judah and Janice Free. Survivors include the love of his life and wife of 68 years, JoAnn Free Judah of Ozark; sons, Sammy Judah (Susan) of Ozark and Chris Judah of Dothan; daughters, Joanie Smith (Bill) of Ozark, Charlotte McDaniel (Mike) of Echo and Amy Jackson (Eugene) of Ozark; grandchildren, Sam Judah (Katy Jane), Jenna Strickland (Byron), Cherie Humphrey (Matt), Laura-Ashley Bynum (Mason), Josh Ivey (Rachel), Justin Ivey, Adam Jackson (Mary) and Breanna Jackson; great grandchildren, Charlie Strickland, Vivian Strickland, Olivia-Grace Harper, Bentleigh-Layne Bynum, Amelia-Clayre Bynum, Annaleigh Ivey and Easton Ivey; one sister, Angela Leatherwood. Numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends also survive. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in his memory to the Samuel Durwood and JoAnn Judah Memorial Endowment Scholarship, The University of Alabama Alumni Association – give.ua.edu --- Or to the charitable organization of your choice.