Peter Luke "Pete" Scamardo passed into everlasting life on June 7, 2019, after 92 years of this earthly life.
Pete was born June 20, 1926 in the Steele Store community of western Brazos County to Luke P and Mary (Varisco) Scamardo, the eldest grandson to Pietro and Vartola Scamardo and Antonino and Dorothea Varisco. Pete was born into a family of farmers who had immigrated from Poggioreale, in the Belice River Valley of southwestern Sicily, in pursuit of a better life. Trusting in God and willing to work, Pete's family embraced the opportunity presented in the bottomlands of the Brazos River. In 1935, Pete's dad bought 800 acres that was formerly part of the Cavitt Plantation, and moved his young family seven miles north to Mumford, in southern Robertson County. Pete's life was rooted in farming the Brazos River bottom.
Pete's parents, who did not have a formal education, impressed on him and his siblings the value of an education. In third grade when the family moved to Mumford, Pete completed his education at the Mumford School. He graduated from Hearne High School in 1943, lettering in football. Although a knee injury ended his playing time, his love of football would continue throughout his lifetime. He fondly remembered sitting in the knothole seats at Kyle Field to see the 1939 National Champion Texas A&M Aggies football team.
He entered Texas A&M College as the nation was uniting to fight World War II and defend our nation. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, his artillery units were preparing for an invasion of Japan. Without fully appreciating the devastation of an atomic bomb, he was forever grateful to President Truman's decision that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers. He graduated A&M in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering. Although Pete had job offers with Esso (later Exxon), he chose to return to roots and spend his life farming cotton and raising cattle.
Pete met his future bride at the wedding of his aunt's brother in the summer of 1945. He was struck by "un colpo di fulmine," love at first sight, when he met Camella. Pete and Camella were married in Marlin, Texas on November 6, 1949 often said the best decision he made in life was marrying Camella, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They were blessed with four children and almost 70 years of marriage. He was forever devoted to his wife and his Catholic faith.
Pete leaves behind his beloved wife Camella Scamardo and his only daughter Marilyn Scamardo of Bryan, his son Dr. Luke Pete Scamardo II and his wife Susan of Navasota, his son Dr. Joseph G. Scamardo of Nacodogches, and his son Robert Scamardo of Houston. He also had 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Tara Marie Gaines and her husband Rodney, Luke Pete Scamardo III and his wife Melani, Bryan Alexander Scamardo and his wife Jennifer, Courtney Suzanne Pierce and her husband Ian, Kenna Anne Scamardo, Micah Jo Scamardo, Rebecca Lynne Scamardo, Seraiah Leigh Scamardo, Robert Lyon and his wife Desi, Monica Schulz, Margaret Mary Scamardo, Pete Luke Scamardo II, and Elizabeth Camille Scamardo, his great grandchildren Luke Pete Scamardo IV, Ziva Gowrey Scamardo, Georgianna Melani Scamardo, Berlin Danielle Scamardo, Rome Jackson Scamardo, and Arwyn Lyon. He is survived by his brother Anthony L. Scamardo and his sister-in-law Angeline Cangelosi. He was preceded in death by his sister Betty Marie Beard.
To honor Pete's life, his family has planned a visitation for Thursday, June 13 from 5-7 PM at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on June 14, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by internment at 11 AM at Mount Calvary Cemetery. There will be a reception at St. Joseph Parish Activity Center following the internment.