1936
Milton
2021
Milton I. Sams
July 18, 1936 — May 30, 2021
A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Milton Ira (Sammy) Sams on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Chariton, Iowa. Burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery.
Milton Ira (Sammy) Sams, son of Raymond Franklin and Mary Virginia (Virgie) Fenton Sams, was born July 18, 1936, in Cedar Township North of Russell, Iowa. He departed this life Sunday evening, May 30, 2021, at 84 years, 10 months, and 12 days at Sharp Coronado Hospital in San Diego, California.
Sam was always on the go, keeping busy and active working at many jobs as a kid. His dad passed away when he was 16, and he was on his own from then, working with farmers. He went to Colorado, worked repairing T.V.s and on to California with his business manager and continued in the same work learning the trade. He then joined the Navy serving 7 months overseas on the USS LUZON.
Traveling across the country working his way, he ended up in Florida working construction after a hurricane, working doing gunite on a bridge. Returning to Iowa, he was always telling stories of the guys he had worked with and how they had become friends for a lifetime. He had an 8th grade education but could do any job and figure it out. He was a traveling man. He would jump in a vehicle and hit the road here and gone. He always had goofy sayings that got your attention. He took on his two nephews, teaching them the carpenter trade.
Sam traveled around with the Western Swing helping out, dancing, and receiving awards. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. He received from the Governor of Oklahoma, a commendation of recognition of the musical promotion of the Western Swing Society.
Left to cherish his memories are his children: Betty (Sterling) Balzen, Mike Sams, Melody (Joe) Hird, and Terri (Albert) Harris; sister, Elizabeth (Bill) Offenburger; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter; along with many nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; son, Nick; daughter, Tammi; and granddaughter, Eniale.
Milton Ira (Sammy) Sams, son of Raymond Franklin and Mary Virginia (Virgie) Fenton Sams, was born July 18, 1936, in Cedar Township North of Russell, Iowa. He departed this life Sunday evening, May 30, 2021, at 84 years, 10 months, and 12 days at Sharp Coronado Hospital in San Diego, California.
Sam was always on the go, keeping busy and active working at many jobs as a kid. His dad passed away when he was 16, and he was on his own from then, working with farmers. He went to Colorado, worked repairing T.V.s and on to California with his business manager and continued in the same work learning the trade. He then joined the Navy serving 7 months overseas on the USS LUZON.
Traveling across the country working his way, he ended up in Florida working construction after a hurricane, working doing gunite on a bridge. Returning to Iowa, he was always telling stories of the guys he had worked with and how they had become friends for a lifetime. He had an 8th grade education but could do any job and figure it out. He was a traveling man. He would jump in a vehicle and hit the road here and gone. He always had goofy sayings that got your attention. He took on his two nephews, teaching them the carpenter trade.
Sam traveled around with the Western Swing helping out, dancing, and receiving awards. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. He received from the Governor of Oklahoma, a commendation of recognition of the musical promotion of the Western Swing Society.
Left to cherish his memories are his children: Betty (Sterling) Balzen, Mike Sams, Melody (Joe) Hird, and Terri (Albert) Harris; sister, Elizabeth (Bill) Offenburger; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter; along with many nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; son, Nick; daughter, Tammi; and granddaughter, Eniale.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Milton I. Sams, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Starts at 1:00pm (Central time)
First Baptist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 19
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors