I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
                                 Sarah McLachlan

There are so many, many people whose lives were touched by Sam.
  I have included a few comments by some of our list members.

I would like to extend my sympathies to you and your family on the
passing of your brother.  It has been a long time since I have seen him but
enjoyed reading all the emails and set up of the LA site it is always
good to go home.  I believe it was at your mother's funeral.  I called
Toni Jo to let her know and she was going to call Tommy.  I lost my
brother at the age of 20 which was 24 years ago and although the memories
are not as painful the empty place in mine and my other siblings will
always remain.  There isn't much anyone can say or do to make your pain
any less.  Here is a poem that my mom gave us all when Greg passed away
it helped us:

Do not stand at my grave and weep…
I am not there – I do not sleep
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on the snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awake in the mornings hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft star-shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die

I will leave it at that again my deepest sympathies to you and your
family. ~ Michelle Montoya Tabares '77

Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your brother, Sam. While we did not know him personally we did appreciate all the effort he put in as co-moderator of the LA Web Site and this group.~ Stuart Jantzen "58" Please accept our Prayers for your family in this tragic time.  I will always remember the trip Sam and I  took when he was 16 and I was 15.  We drove to Kansas looking for work that summer.  We  ended up  working at some wheat farmers.  I think we got the job because the family felt sorry for us.  We worked there a while then came back and went to work out south for Grover Swift.  I lost track  of Sam and Nita when he went to the Navy, but renewed our friendship at the class reunion.  We grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other and will remember our group of buddies.   Jack Anders, Bill Bundy, Dale Thatcher, Danny Netherton and many more that the names escape me.   We played allot of pool and  pin ball at Mikes sweet shop.  Sam and Danny were usually the winners.   The ones that have left us are in a much better place and are waiting for a reunion in heaven.  GOD bless you all .~ Bill & Judy Blakely   I knew he had been ill but didn't think it would be this drastic.  Well, another cousin is gone and the  list of those still around get shorter.  Sammy and his wife came to visit us earlier in the year and it  was the first time I had seen him in many years.  We were actually pretty close in our earlier days. So sorry for you all.  He will truly be missed, especially on this web site. ~ Cousin Bob Flinn    So sorry to hear of Sam's death.  I only met him one time and that was years ago thru his sister-in-law, Vickie Hollandsworth.  He did a great job helping with the LA List and with the LA website.  He will be missed!  My prayers are with you and your family.~ Patt Smith Owings '67

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