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Tarleton State University Spring 2024 Magazine
Leaving a Legacy
College of Business Named in Honor of Dr. Sam Pack
In a life filled with relationships, triumphs and innovations, Dr. Sam Pack made it clear: Tarleton State University naming its College of Business after him is a distinction that stands above all.
“I’ve been honored in a lot of different ways, but it’s the greatest honor that has ever been bestowed upon me,” he said. “I will always be indebted to those who were instrumental in making this happen.”
The impact will be felt on campus and beyond for years to come.
“Having Dr. Sam Pack’s name attached to the College of Business will do a lot of things for this institution,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “It’s going to raise the visibility and respect level of the College of Business in the Metroplex for certain.
“Any time you have a named degree, and you walk across that stage and it’s the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business, it adds a level of prestige, even for students that don’t know Sam Pack or the Pack legacy.”
And what a legacy it is.
Growing up in Stephenville as the second youngest of six siblings in a family of entrepreneurs, he originally thought his future would be in a much different line of work, the grocery store business.
He ventured away from his hometown for the first time in 1959 when his oldest brother led him into the financial world with Universal CIT, marking a turning point in his life.
His journey in the automotive industry began in 1962 when he joined Ford Credit, where he ascended to branch manager.
During a challenging time in the industry in September 1979, Dr. Pack was working with a dealer that was experiencing financial difficulties in a Sold Out of Trust (SOT) condition.
“The next morning, I am returning phone calls from the prior day and this phone call is to a gentleman by the name of Lee Jarmon, a Ford dealer in Carrollton, Texas.”
The two then met in person, where Jarmon brought up that he wanted to sell him his business, with Dr. Pack stating that he wasn’t prepared financially for the opportunity.
Jarmon’s response, “Let me worry about that.”
The meeting changed the trajectory of many lives.
After nearly two decades in financial services, Dr. Pack started his career as a dealer in 1980, acquiring Lee Jarmon Ford. Before long, he was one of the top-selling Ford dealers in the Lone Star State and the nation.
With a focus on innovation and a forwardthinking approach, he went on to earn the national 1988 TIME Dealer of the Year tribute, the industry’s most prestigious award. In 2003, he received the Ford Motor Company Salute to Dealers Award, presented by Edsel Ford II, for his commitment to improving communities and the lives of individuals in them. He was also honored as a Texas Automobile Dealers Association Legend in 2006 and was named to Ford’s inaugural Top Volume Dealers Hall of Fame in 2016.
After 62 years in the automotive industry, he still works six days a week, typically leaving between 6 and 7 p.m.
“His passion and energy are incredible,” said Pack Automotive Group Chief Operating Officer Charlie Nixon. “If we go to a meeting somewhere and it is on the second or third floor, we don’t take an elevator, we go up the stairs.”
It’s a mindset that has remained throughout his career.
“This didn’t happen by itself,” said General Manager of Five Star Ford of Dallas Brian Huth. “It wasn’t a rich family member that got him started. He’s a self-made man. That’s the important part. The name on the building doesn’t mean anything until you see who he is.”
A man with a big heart, he supports more than 300 nonprofits, service organizations and community events.
When an employee at Five Star Subaru of Grapevine lost her home in a fire recently, his caring nature was on display.
“They lost their cars, their house, belongings, everything,” said Tony Hooman, the general manager of the dealership.
“I made a call to Sam, and I said, ‘Hey, we have a disaster on our hands, what do you think?’ He said, ‘Just do what is necessary to take care of this couple and their family.’ And so we helped her take care of that situation.”
In 2023, Tarleton State honored Pack with a doctorate of humane letters for his leadership and giving spirit.
“He’s so well respected throughout the industry, and especially in the Ford brand,” said General Manager of Five Star Ford of Lewisville Kelly Blackwell. “He absolutely deserves the doctorate that he has from Tarleton because he is a doctor in business.”
Along the way, Carol, his wife of 66 years, has been by his side. They have two sons, Tony and Todd. Tony and his wife, Louisa, who attended Tarleton State, have two daughters, Carly and Macy.
Carol and Sam met during junior high in Stephenville. She would initially attend high school out of state before eventually graduating from Monahans High School. Following graduation, her family returned to Erath County, leading her on the path to becoming a Pack.
“Carol is just as responsible for our accomplishments as anyone in our family,” said Sam. “My wife is the perfect mother, and I say that in all sincerity. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect wife and partner. She is the love of my life.”
Both sons are also heavily involved in the business.
Over the years, Tony has teamed with his father to tackle a number of different issues, working his way up to a vice president role. His oldest daughter, Carly, has recently become involved in the business as well after graduating from Baylor. She will be the third generation of the Pack family to carry on the legacy.
“It’s been an honor to work with my dad, and to now have my daughter working for us is quite an honor to be following my dad’s footsteps to carry on his name,” said Tony.
Todd, who has special needs, became involved after his father met with general managers to identify 16 different job duties that he could take on. In the years since, Pack Automotive Group dealerships have been involved in a vocational program for Holy Angels where Todd is a resident and has his own office.
Today in North Texas, Dr. Pack owns Five Star Ford dealerships in Carrollton, North Richland Hills, Dallas and Lewisville, along with Five Star Chevrolet in Carrollton and Five Star Subaru in Grapevine. Additionally, he co-owns six luxury dealerships in Tulsa featuring Lexus, Audi, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
The people who have been with him the longest make it clear why anywhere he goes, success follows.
“He’s a fantastic leader,” said General Manager of Five Star Ford of Carrollton Trey Russell, who has been with the company since 1991. “He drives you, he motivates you and he elevates you.”
Most importantly, his employees state that he has done things in a manner to be proud of.
“Doing business the right way will always pay long-term dividends,” said General Manager of Five Star Ford of North Richland Hills Joshua Fichter, who like many of the general managers has spent more than half his life — 26 years — working with the Pack Automotive Group.
Beyond the achievements with his dealerships, Dr. Pack has also formed an impressive car collection.
“The car collection is remarkable,” said Dr. Hurley. “I was just blown away. He knew every car, he knew how he acquired the car and who he acquired the car from. He knew down to the penny of what he spent on that car, and he knew today’s value, and that’s incredible.”
It all started in 2002 when Dr. Pack and his team of managers went on a mission to find a car he had been looking for, a 1939 Ford convertible.
A rainy Saturday afternoon took the group to visit Wayne Davis, who had about 30 cars in his own collection. They would find what they were looking for, and then some. Before leaving that day, they had bought three cars, officially starting a collection which today exceeds 400 units.
“I tell people I am overzealous when it comes to collecting classic cars,” said Dr. Pack. “But it is my hobby.”
With a passion for his faith, family, employees, customers and his car collection, he has touched countless lives.
“It’s very fitting that Sam is being honored with
the College of Business because every day he wants to give back in the form of educating us,” said General Manager of Five Star Chevrolet of Carrollton Alan Brown.
After spending a lifetime serving and educating others, an exciting new chapter is underway with the
Dr. Sam Pack College of Business.
“Tarleton has a very special place in our hearts,” said Dr. Pack. “As great as the university is, the best days are yet ahead, and our family wants to be a part of that. We want to make a difference in the lives of the young people, especially those that bleed purple.”
