Middlesboro, Kentucky, entrepreneur and business leader Sam Mars recently passed away, leaving behind family, friends and a legacy which will live on.
His lasting impacts in business will survive generations. Mars’ son, Sammy Mars, believes there are parts of the town where his efforts stretch as far as the eye can see.
“The community will miss his vision and drive to see the area succeed. There are so many projects Dad was involved with or had some type of impact working with,” said Mars.
According to his son, Mars and his businesses were a regional powerhouse in the oil business for more than 40 years, which began with the purchase of a small Gulf Oil distributorship that grew into a large, regional operation.
“Dad was a visionary. He worked hard for the community and was president of many different organizations. There wasn’t much that Dad wasn’t involved in,” said Mars.
His name will forever go down in history at Lincoln Memorial University as the longest serving trustee in the history of the school. He was also a devout member of the Methodist Church and volunteered his time with organizations such as the Kiwanis Club.
As a father, his son remembers him as a great role model.
“He was like a guidance counselor and a teacher. He was a friend and the perfect example of what I needed to be in my life while I was growing up,” said Mars.
His sons will manage several of his business ventures to continue his successes and efforts.
The family received friends from 6 p.m until 9 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Green Hills Funeral Home. The funeral is set for 2 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Covenant United Methodist Church.
“We’re going to miss just about everything about him. He was devoted to the family and we’ll miss that greatly. His leadership, diligent work ethic — Steve and I will miss that. Mom will miss her companion of 66 years. It’s going to be a major void in our life,” said Mars.
Reach Kelsey Gerhardt at 606-302-9093 or on Twitter @kgerhardtmbdn.
