SSG (Ret) Samuel Durrel Marquez, age 56, of Columbus, GA, beloved husband, father, and friend was called home on July 8, 2020. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 9:30 until 10:30 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with graveside services to follow at Parkhill Cemetery at 11:00 am, with military honors.
Sam was born on January 1, 1964 in Neuilly-sur-Siene, Paris, France, the son of Samuel Marquez and Vera DeAnda Marquez. Sam was formally from California; he then made Columbus, Georgia his home upon retirement from the U.S. Army.
Sam served the federal government for over 34 years as both a soldier and Department of the Army Civilian employee in the Range Control Division as a Safety Technician. Sam served over 20 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman serving tours in the Continental United States, overseas, and in combat. Sam earned the coveted Infantryman’s badge, completing combat tours during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sam married Sandra Pollock on June 8, 2014.
Together Sam and Sandy were volunteers in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Sam was a Webelos Den Leader for Pack 100 and an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 2. Together as a family, they supported their son, Alex, as he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Sam is preceded in death by his mother, Vera DeAnda Marquez.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Pollock Marquez; his son, Alexander "Alex" D. Marquez; his father, Samuel Marquez; two sisters, Kimberly Seeley (George) and Angelina Jakusz; two brothers, Benjamin Marquez and Richard Marquez; and other family members and friends that will cherish Sam’s memory.
