2024 DON AND DOÑA

Sam and Missy Morrow of San Benito currently farm 1000 acres in the same part of Cameron County where Sam’s Morrow and Hokitt families first began farming over 100 years ago.  Sam is a 4th generation Rangerville farmer.  He is the son of the late Glenn and Laree Morrow.  His great-grandfather and namesake, S.F. Morrow, moved to Rangerville in 1923 to farm.  Sam’s grandmother, Madlyn Hokitt Morrow, moved to the same area in 1921 with her family, also to farm.  

Sam earned his Bachelor in Agricultural Education in 1985 from Texas A&M University.  Immediately after graduation he became a full time teacher at San Benito High School and a part-time farmer.  In 1990, he left the classroom to farm full time.  Over the past 4 decades, Sam has served the agriculture community in many leadership roles, including: Director of the Rangerville Co-op Board, Director for Farmers Air Service, Board Member of both Santa Maria Irrigation District and Harlingen Irrigation District, Board Member of the Cameron County Soil & Conservation Board, Board member of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers Association.

Missy Traux Morrow was born in Edinburg and raised in San Benito.  She is the daughter of Hatch and Lorraine Truax, long-time owners of the Truax Drive-In Grocery and famous candy counter.  Missy graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors in Agricultural Education and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Development.  She first worked as a County Extension Agent in Kaufman County, and then began a 40-year career in the credit union industry.  Missy spent the majority of her career with Rio Grande Valley Credit Union, where she served as CEO for 23 years.  She retired from the credit union last year to work on the farm with Sam.

Missy was appointed to the Texas Credit Union Commission by Governor Rick Perry and later re-appointed by Governor Greg Abbott.  She completed her 6 year term on that Commission in the role of Chairman. 

The Morrows have been dedicated volunteer leaders within our community.  Both have served as volunteers at the Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show, San Benito/Rangerville Beef Syndicate and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.  Sam is currently the 2nd Vice President on the RGVLS Board.  Sam and Missy have been Adult Leaders with the Highland Hustlers 4-H Club, and the pair were placed on the Wall of Honor at the Boys and Girls Club of Harlingen, an organization whose Board Missy has served on for many years.  

Sam and Missy’s shared love of the agricultural industry has been evident from the start.  They met in 1972 at a Highland Hustlers 4-H meeting.  And almost 20 years later, they reconnected at the Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show in 1991.  Their marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Allyson Morrow, and three granddaughters.   Sam and Missy will continue to farm and raise livestock in the Rangerville community as long as God sees fit.