Sam Vann

Sam Vann was born on June 20th, 1944, in Locust Grove, OK, the son of French and Mollie (Stealer) Vann. He grew up in a household with his brother George and two sisters, Ruby and Dorothy. He graduated from Locust Grove High School, then enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving during the Vietnam Conflict from October 10th, 1967 until his honorable discharge on October 3rd, 1969. He returned to northeastern Oklahoma, and started working at the nursey, he loved plants. His horticultural skills were excellent. Then he started raising his family, four sons and three daughters, Lisa, Sam, Molly, Mark, Dustin, Mike, and Charlotte. When Sam wasn’t working, he was outdoors. He loved sports, especially softball! He coached and pitched softball, and his teams were winners! He liked to go out in the yard or garden, working up the soil and producing some amazing strawberries, tomatoes and roses. He was an accomplished woodworker, making beautiful furniture for his family. He liked to unwind by watching pretty much any sport such as wrestling, football, baseball, and was a big Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball fan. He was blessed with a subtle sense of humor, and the ”look”. He used it on children and grandchildren alike. It usually meant he thought you could have handled the situation better. He adored his children and loved time spent with his 21 grandchildren, he was so very proud of them. He like time to spend time with his companion, Belinda Parades sitting outside and watching the sun go down. He enjoyed life to its fullest, and packed each day to the fullest. His health failed him and he passed from this life on July 7th, 2016 at his home in Tahlequah, with those he loved most close by his side. Sam was 72 years old. He will be missed.

Sam has gone home to join his grandparents, his mother and father, and his two sisters, Ruby Mouse and Dorothy Osage.

Those left to cherish the memory of this wonderful man include, his children, Lisa Vann and companion Carl Guernsey of Tahlequah, Sam Vann and wife Kristi of Hulbert, Molly Vann and companion Presley Hendricks , Mark Vann and companion Jodie Haddock, Dustin Vann, Mike Vann, and Charlotte Keener and companion Jeff Waukua all of Tahlequah. He also leaves one brother, George Vann of Salina, OK and his companion. Sam lives on in his adored grandchildren, Christopher Vann, Summer Vann, Cherokee Hendricks, Lakota Hendricks, John Henry Sanders, Daniel Ray Sanders, Joseph Edward Sanders, Goxie Smith, Samantha Smith, Sam Vann III, Samantha Jade Vann, Savannah Vann, Jacob Vann, Nevaeh Vann, Heaven Faith Vann, Destiny Rain Vann, Josiah Vann, Adam Vann, Ethan Vann, Mathew Keener, and Alice Molina Keener. Sam also leaves his loving companion of 15 years, Belinda Parades of the home, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones, and Mize, the family cat.