Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Sam Behr of New Smyrna Beach, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in his home. He was 86 years old. Mr. Behr was born April 23, 1927, in Talledega, Ala. He played football at the University of Maryland and scored the first touchdown ever for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Mr. Behr was in the military and served at Elmore Air Force Base in Alaska, where he served as athletic director and received football help from Coach Bryant. He owned his own business, Behr Shoe Center, on Church Street in Orlando, for more than 50 years. But he is best known for his tagline “Tires ain’t pretty” as a spokesman for Allied Discount.

Mr. Behr is survived by his wife, Joanne; his sons, Jeff of New Smyrna Beach, Phillip of Fresno, Calif., George of Merritt Island; daughters, Sheri Gray of Denver, Colo., Mayme Paul of Orlando, Bette Jo Foster of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Angie M. Randolph of Dallas, Texas; and 14 grandchildren. Services were held at the Settle-Wilder Funeral Home in New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, November 19, at 2 p.m. A celebration of life followed at the New Smyrna Beach Yacht Club.