Our friend and partner Sam L. Crain, Jr. died on February 9, 2013 at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He practiced law at Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC for 29 years, primarily in the areas of commercial litigation and personal injury defense. He also handled employment cases with his law partner and wife of 22 years, Lisa Krupicka, also of the firm. Sam was a consummate professional who loved being a lawyer and trying cases. He also enjoyed teaching law and taught both legal research and writing and worker’s compensation for several years at his alma mater, the Cecil B. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, where he graduated in 1983. When he wasn’t practicing law or cooking gourmet meals for family and friends, he was also a tremendous endurance athlete, running 50 mile trail races even when he had cancer. Thanks to the work of his friends who run and the Memphis running community, the drinking fountain in Overton Park near the running trails has been refurbished and will be dedicated in his honor. He was an essential part of our law firm and our family – we will miss him deeply.
Visitation will be at Canale Funeral Home on February 12, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 3:00 p.m. on February 13, 2013, with reception to follow at our offices at 130 North Court Avenue in Memphis. The family asks that any memorials be sent to the Overton Park Conservancy or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.