Samuel Wachs

Samuel David Wachs, 91, of Montgomery, AL was welcomed into the loving arms of his heavenly Father on Friday, April 24, 2020. While he will be greatly missed by family and friends, all who knew and loved Sam will remember him as a man of faith, integrity, and character who demonstrated kindness and patience to all, possessed the strongest of work ethics, and was always willing to grant a favor.

Born in 1929 and raised in Montgomery, Sam is survived by his wife of 70 years, June Eady Wachs, and two children, Cynthia (Mike) Jones of Montgomery, AL and Tom (Jill) Wachs of Eufaula, AL. He was lovingly called Granddaddy by five grandchildren – Stephanie Bell (Travis), Andrew Jones (Frances), Sydnie Wachs, Bowdy Wachs, and Jaycie Wachs – and four great grandchildren, Crosby and Maddie Bell and Rosaleigh and Andalee Jones.

Sam began work at an early age and his first employers included Oak Park Pool, a local ice cream plant, and the Montgomery Advertiser. He often shared fond memories of growing up in Oak Park. After high school graduation, Sam moved to Savannah, GA where he met June at S.H. Kress Dept. Store where they both worked. In the next few years, he worked at Union Camp and Sears Roebuck and Company. Drafted in 1952, he served at Fort Dix, graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1953, and was assigned to Fort Jackson, SC. Upon discharge, Sam and June settled in Savannah where he worked for Belford Wholesale Grocery Company and Foremost Dairy.

In 1966, Sam’s career in insurance began with New York Life in Montgomery. He received his Chartered Life Underwriters degree in 1972. In 1979, he went to work for Farm Bureau Insurance (ALFA) where he retired in 1996 as Sales Training Director. After his heart surgery in 1999, he helped start a chapter of Mended Hearts, Inc. in Montgomery, a support group for individuals suffering with heart disease. He also served as a volunteer for the group.

Never a singer himself, Sam thoroughly enjoyed listening to old gospel hymns and particularly favored the music of Tennessee Ernie Ford. In his younger years, he enjoyed golf and gardening. A lifelong baseball fan, he was also actively involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, frequently entertaining them with imaginative and whimsical rhymes and phrases. He took the roles of Dad and Granddaddy very seriously by providing unconditional love, thoughtful advice, and enduring support.

Sam and his wife were long time members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery.

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, to consider a donation to Trinity Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice. The Wachs family extends appreciation to family and friends for many expressions of kindness and to EastChase Senior Living, AseraCare Hospice and the John Knox Manor therapists and nurses for the loving care they provided Sam.