I miss Sam and was his very close friend from the time we were in Kindergarden together, although we lost contact for the many years prior to his death, which was clouded in mystery. My mother is best friends with Sam's mother, who is still alive. I visited her last year and she still talks about it, and is bothered by it. And for good reason. Sam was found collasped along a road, under very questionable circumstances. At this same time there were things going on in his personal and domestic life regarding his estate. His mother Jean and his daughters and others have their inner thoughts, and there was an investigation of sorts, although it was conducted much too late after the fact to reveal enough information. But, it is all over and buried now along with Sam, a wonderful human being. Among many other memories I will never forget Sam's loyal support and tribute to his brother Dan, an officer in the Army, who served in Vietnam. During that timeframe when hippies and others were rebelling against the war, Sam made up a big sign of support for the troops and all alone went down to the Federal courthouse to march in front of the main doors. And it was freezing cold and stormy at the time.
That march of Sam's made the evening Minneapolis news (would have been major national news nowadays), and as well being published in the Star & Tribune. It got a lot of local attention. It came from Sam's heart, which was huge, and was totally sincere.
Sam couldn't go in the service but he would have made an excellent Marine, or soldier. Sam, my friend, you will never be forgotten. I was so glad I was able to attend Sam's wake at the VFW in Spring Lake Park. Every seat was full and the room was huge. Never before had the VFW honored a non-veteran like that. It just goes to show you the impact Sam had on people, friends and military Veterans.
It is with sadness I'm reporting the recent passing of Sam's mother, Jean, 94, a close, lifelong friend of my mothers. Upon my last visit to Minnesota last year, I visited Jean along with my mother. I hadn't seen her for perhaps 15-20 years. She is survived by a son (Dan) and daughter (Pam). It was ironic that during that visit, I asked Jean if she still had the newspaper clipping of Sam I mentioned. She said she'd kept it all these years so we proceeded to search the apartment and boxes. To both of our dismay, we couldn't locate it. So, we just used our collective memories and talked about it. My mother couldn't recall one little fact, drawing a complete blank, but Jean opened up after I tickled her memory. We both shared Sam's actions and the subsequent news coverage. My mom just sat there shaking her head.
Jon M. Meade
I miss Sam and was his very close friend from the time we were in Kindergarden together, although we lost contact for the many years prior to his death, which was clouded in mystery. My mother is best friends with Sam's mother, who is still alive. I visited her last year and she still talks about it, and is bothered by it. And for good reason. Sam was found collasped along a road, under very questionable circumstances. At this same time there were things going on in his personal and domestic life regarding his estate. His mother Jean and his daughters and others have their inner thoughts, and there was an investigation of sorts, although it was conducted much too late after the fact to reveal enough information. But, it is all over and buried now along with Sam, a wonderful human being. Among many other memories I will never forget Sam's loyal support and tribute to his brother Dan, an officer in the Army, who served in Vietnam. During that timeframe when hippies and others were rebelling against the war, Sam made up a big sign of support for the troops and all alone went down to the Federal courthouse to march in front of the main doors. And it was freezing cold and stormy at the time.
That march of Sam's made the evening Minneapolis news (would have been major national news nowadays), and as well being published in the Star & Tribune. It got a lot of local attention. It came from Sam's heart, which was huge, and was totally sincere.
Sam couldn't go in the service but he would have made an excellent Marine, or soldier. Sam, my friend, you will never be forgotten. I was so glad I was able to attend Sam's wake at the VFW in Spring Lake Park. Every seat was full and the room was huge. Never before had the VFW honored a non-veteran like that. It just goes to show you the impact Sam had on people, friends and military Veterans.
Carol Ann Johnson (Nelson)
Thank you Jon - what a wonderful tribute to your friend!
Carol Ann Johnson (Nelson)
A special thanks to Jon Meade for the donation to the reunion in memory of Sam.
Jon M. Meade
It is with sadness I'm reporting the recent passing of Sam's mother, Jean, 94, a close, lifelong friend of my mothers. Upon my last visit to Minnesota last year, I visited Jean along with my mother. I hadn't seen her for perhaps 15-20 years. She is survived by a son (Dan) and daughter (Pam). It was ironic that during that visit, I asked Jean if she still had the newspaper clipping of Sam I mentioned. She said she'd kept it all these years so we proceeded to search the apartment and boxes. To both of our dismay, we couldn't locate it. So, we just used our collective memories and talked about it. My mother couldn't recall one little fact, drawing a complete blank, but Jean opened up after I tickled her memory. We both shared Sam's actions and the subsequent news coverage. My mom just sat there shaking her head.