Passed away on September 27, 2012 after a long illness at age 91. Born on June 3, 1921 in Krum, Texas, Sam was the only son among four siblings. He was always loving and devoted to his three sisters- Laura and Pokey who preceded him in passing, and Wanda. After graduating from Krum High School in 1940, Sam enlisted in the military. He had a love for airplanes, thus he joined the fledgling Army Air Corps and was initially stationed at the brand new Luke Field in 1941, just outside of Glendale. He loved the valley and decided to someday settle here. He, in fact, served in the Air Force for twenty years, going all the way across the Pacific in World War II, and flying in the Berlin Airlift along the way. He then worked for the US Postal Service for twenty more years in the Phoenix area. At a USO club in Glendale in 1941, he met his future wife, Flossie Anderson, and they were married on August 7, 1942. They remained married for 70 years and Sam was a devoted husband who followed Flossie through her illustrious softball career with the A-1 Queens. He was always her biggest fan and followed the team on many road trips. They became a model couple to their entire family and Sam's devotion to Flossie was an inspiration. You could not think of one without thinking of the other. Sam and Flossie had two sons, Terry Lee and Sam, Jr. Sam loved to take the boys camping all over Arizona and participated in the Boy Scouts with them. He supported both of them as they graduated from college and went on to their own careers. He was a great father and a hero to his boys, as well as to his surviving daughters-in-law Donna Gael Ballard (Terry) and Brigitte Marie Ballard (Sam, Jr) and grandchildren; Robert Daniel, Jordan James, Morgan Suzanne, and Derrick Tyler. Sam was also very active in Freemasonry. He became a Master Mason in 1957 and was Master of Oriental Lodge #20 in 1975. He eventually became a 33rd Degree Mason which is the highest level of service in Freemasonry. He also served as Past Masters President for the El Zaribah Shrine. He loved the Masons and committed countless hours to their service and made many friends who often told his family that Sam was one of the greatest men they ever knew. His service included sharing his love for music, while being the organist at Oriental #20 for over 20 years and running the music for the Scottish Rites for many years. His greatest love was always reserved for his beloved Flossie, for whom he never lacked total devotion and was an example to all of us of the power of unconditional love. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM, on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at West Resthaven Funeral Home at 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301 at 11AM. Interment will be held at Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans, Shriner’s Hospital, Eastern Star Mesa 16, or Scottish Rite.
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