ENROLLED
2020 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 18
BY REPRESENTATIVES THOMPSON AND ECHOL S
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Samuel P.
Scurria, M.D.
WHEREAS, the community of Delhi, Louisiana, and the members of the House of
Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Samuel Philip Scurria, on June 5,
2020, at the age of eighty-four; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Scurria was born to Nettie Veronica Dichiara and Philip Samuel
Scurria, Sr., on November 21, 1935, in Tallulah, Louisiana; in 1961, Samuel Scurria
graduated from Louisiana State University Medical School, and upon completion of an
internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Dr. Sam served his country in the U.S. Air
Force in Shreveport and Lake Charles; and
WHEREAS, the personal and professional life of Dr. Sam was rich and fruitful; he
and his high school sweetheart, Joyce Christine King, were married for more than sixty
years, and for thirty-eight years, he maintained a general medical practice that included
surgery, ob-gyn, pediatric, geriatric, and emergency medical care in Delhi; Dr. Sam found
true satisfaction in his role as a rural physician, and his penchant for making house calls
endeared him to his patients; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Scurria combined his call to medicine with volunteerism in his
Delhi community, organizing emergency preparedness drills, serving on the Richland Parish
Hospital board of directors, and providing medical care as the Delhi High School football
team doctor; and
WHEREAS, when he was not attending to medical duties, Dr. Sam was a whirlwind
of activity and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf; he was a founding member of Antique
Cars in Delhi and regularly showed his restored 1928 Ford Model A and 1941 Lincoln
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Zephyr at homecoming and stock show parades; a collector of arrowheads, Dr. Sam was a
member of the Gem and Mineral Club; he worked with wood as a furniture designer, and he
carved wildlife, wall hangings, and bird houses; and
WHEREAS, an accomplished musician, Dr. Sam played alto and tenor saxophone
with the St. Joe Jazzers, the St. Joe Orchestra, and at his beloved Delhi Presbyterian Church;
Dr. Sam also was a gifted painter, and two of his pieces were published in the January 2008
edition of the Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sam delighted in entertaining family and friends, and his sense of
humor, enthusiasm, and energy made memorable his presence in every setting; he was a
powerfully positive influence on those with whom he interacted; and
WHEREAS, the absence of Samuel P. Scurria is deeply felt by his wife, Joyce; his
children, Philip, and his wife Cindy, Catherine Scurria Gough, and her husband Steve, Mark,
and his wife DeAnn, and Juliette Scurria Blades, and her husband Gene; siblings Philip, and
his wife Peggy, and Thomas, and his wife Teresa; grandchildren Gregory, Bryndi, Mary,
Stephanie, Stuart, Bradley, Jacee, Victoria, Kelly, and Maria and their spouses; great-
grandchildren Layton, Brody, Caroline, and Leo; Dr. Sam's legacy of duty and devotion will
endure through the lives of his family and friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences on the death
of Dr. Samuel P. Scurria; does hereby acknowledge the exemplary work of his life in
medicine to the benefit of his patients and his contributions to his community of Delhi; and
does hereby offer hopes for comfort and peace to family and friends who mourn the loss of
this dynamic and gifted Louisiana native son.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Dr. Samuel Scurria.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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