SAN ANTONIO — Sam Barshop, who with his brother used $45,000 in borrowed money to begin the La Quinta Inns & Suites hotel chain, died on Monday. He was 84.
His death was announced by his family. Mr. Barshop and his brother, Philip, who died in 1998, opened their first two La Quinta Inns in time for San Antonio’s 1968 HemisFair. The chain, one of the first to appeal to corporate travelers, has grown to more than 800 hotels across North America.
Sam Barshop was born on Sept. 11, 1929, in Waco, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Ann; a son, Bruce; a daughter, Jamie Barshop; a sister, Doris Barshop Spector; and two grandchildren. Mr. Barshop supported a variety of causes in education, medicine and Jewish-related organizations.
He served on a number of corporate boards, including that of Southwest Airlines.