OBITUARY
Spencer Ala Hele Mudaliar
November 29, 2001 – March 30, 2021
A short time ago, on November 29th 2001 the world was blessed when Sammy came into our lives. Spencer Ala Hele Mudaliar left this life happy. “Sammy”, as he was affectionately known to those he loved, was a curious, hardworking and handy Young Man with a big heart and hands ready to serve anyone in need, stranger, friend or family.
Sam liked to find his own way to experience life. Always confident, and bold when tackling a new challenge, but would willingly seek out help from those he trusted and loved. Easy going and easy to talk to, Sammy had a knack for getting to know people. Spencer used his gift of conversation and his giving nature to find ways to connect with others. He loved cars and music, was naturally mechanically talented, a gifted handy-man, and he wouldn’t hesitate to get dirty if someone needed him. He put his family first, tried to do the right thing, and was the most happy serving others.
His attitude of service led him to recently enlist in the Army. He had a rewarding career in Scouting, obtaining the rank of Eagle by organizing a very successful diaper drive for a local community organization supporting newborns. He served in many leadership roles with his Scouting Troop, Troop 67. He spent his summers serving alongside his family in Cub Scout Day Camps, and loved serving as a program aide for the Bothell Girls Camp Day Camp.
Spencer is survived by his parents Sarah and Steven, his brothers and sisters Tyler, MaKena, Pulelehua, and Steven Jr. Spencer leaves behind his Ohana, encompassing a large circle of family, friends, church and community members. He loved so many, and we will forever be blessed by his kind heart and his willing to help hands.
PALLBEARERS
- Tyler Mudaliar (Brother)
- MaKena Mudaliar (Sister)
- Pulelehua Mudaliar (Sister)
- Steven Jr. Mudaliar (Brother)
- Devin Mudaliar (Uncle)
- Jathan Mudaliar (Cousin)
- Bane Hall (Cousin), Honorary Pallbearer
- Kai Hall (Cousin), Honorary Pallbearer
- Kawika Mudaliar (Cousin), Honorary Pallbearer
- Khaleed Lawal (Cousin), Honorary Pallbearer
Services
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Funeral Service
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Memories
Spencer Ala Hele Mudaliar
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYMaKena Mudaliar
April 16, 2021
I remember last Thanksgiving, Spencer was not able to join us because he was in the Military, and they couldn't let them leave for that short amount of time. My dad and my brothers were visiting from Washington. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, all of us were in my mom's Acura MDX driving around looking at open houses. My brother was allowed to have his phone that day, and he happened to call us while we were on the way to another house. As his voice filled the car, I felt like our family was together again for the holidays. During those few minutes in the car, Sammy shared his experiences in the military, and the car was filled with happiness and laughter. He told us about the special Thanksgiving treat they had for their meals. It wasn't the normal Thanksgiving we had every year, but I am grateful that he was there, and that we could have fun with him.
MaKena Mudaliar
April 16, 2021
I don't have a lot of memories of my older brother, but I have memories that family has shared with me over the years. This memory my Grandma Elosie has shared with us many times over the years.
When Sammy was about 2 or 3, my Grandma was teaching seminary at 6 in the morning, and Spencer loved going with Grandma. One particular morning, Spencer was dancing around to the song "Daddy don't you walk so fast" sung by Kapena and he went to one of the young women, grabbed her hand, and started singing the lyrics to the song to her. (Grandma would grab my hand and sing it to me every time she told me.) She smiled her very tired smile and let him sing to her. Spencer has always been smooth with the ladies, and to this day, "Daddy don't you walk so fast" will always be referred to as Sammy's song.
Steven Mudaliar
April 16, 2021
I love thinking about Sam when he was so young and untainted by the world and its peer pressure. When he was young Sam had no fear of walking up to people and getting to know them. In this picture, my kids couldn't help but dance to the live music band playing at one of the activities hosted for my brother's grad from Eastern. Sam was really going at it and the college girls enjoyed watching him dance. With all the confidence of a young 5ish year old, he danced up to two college girls grabbed their hands and started dancing them to their makeshift dance floor! I love his infectious giant smile. SO HAPPY!
Steven Mudaliar
April 16, 2021
Sammy would see a need and then jump right in and do whatever he could to help. Seeing my ever growing collection of writing utensils piling up on my nightstand, 8 years young Sammy came in with a smart water bottle that he had cut the top off, then glued some gold colored yarn on then put all of my pens in them. He was beaming holding his creation, and I was overjoyed with thankful delight as he presented his gift to me. His pen holder still holds a now sacred spot on my nightstand even today.
Steven Mudaliar
April 16, 2021
“Sammy”, as he was affectionately known to those he loved, was a curious, hardworking and handy Young Man with a big heart and hands ready to serve anyone in need, whether stranger, friend or family. His love for service was evident at a very young age when he and his cohort and brother, Tyler, would devise innocent ways to be of service. Seeing their exhausted mother pregnant with their twin sisters sleeping, Sammy concocted a plan with Tyler on how they could help. After waking from a little ruckus coming from the kitchen, I received a brief call at work from Sarah. I answered and heard “Steve I need you. GET HOME NOW!” then click. I drove the 5 minute commute from my office to the house worrying about what could the reason be for the inflection in her voice and the curt cryptic message. I didn’t think it was anything to do with the girls, but wondered what it might be. All my questions were answered when I found various scattered kitchen utensils, and two little boys covered in the 5 dozen eggs that together my sons and I had purchased the night before. Walking through the kitchen and heading into the bedroom to see my wife I asked my boys what they were doing. In reply they told me they were making breakfast for Mommy, because she was tired. A few weeks later my Aunt gave me a whisk with a note that said “for your boys when they want to cook breakfast”
Steven Mudaliar
April 15, 2021
from:
Angela Taylor
Our son Jonathon met Spencer Mudaliar through a common interest in cars. Spencer has been at our home several times. The first time he came over, I was weeding. Spencer jumped right in to help while Jonathon watched in disbelief, surprised that his friend was so willing to help. He was friendly, polite, and helpful any time he was over. Loss is difficult to accept. I've watched Jonathon over the last few days and know that he will miss his friend. I'm grateful he can look back at memories they've had including just this last weekend. They roasted smores sitting around a camp fire in the backyard for hours. Spencer was a fine young man. We are honored to have known him and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Yukari Crummett
April 12, 2021
I remember seeing Spencer in the Seminary parking lot in past years.
At first, he was riding a bike. Then he showed up with a red Mitsubishi Eclipse in his junior year, and also a white pickup. Then a white van for his work in his senior year. Lastly, I remember when he proudly showed up with VERY loud music and engine sounds of a Red Ford F150. He invited me to get in his truck and was so excited to show me his handsome truck in the seminary parking lot. I still remember his big smile and the happy feeling he had driving the Red Ford F150. I was the only mother who parked during seminary most of the time. I had nice chats with him occasionally in the parking lot.
I noticed that he loves cars, and it was an interesting experience to see him grow up from a bike to a Ford F150 truck.
I also remember Spencer with his beautiful smile, unique jokes, and sharing kindness and love with others. He fixed our entrance door and bought us fried chicken, which is our family’s favorite, and so on.
Our family will always remember him as a fine young man who supported and shared his kind heart with others. We will hold on to these good memories of Spencer and will deeply miss him.
Juliann Thomson
April 11, 2021
I am one of Spencer's aunts. I had the great pleasure of watching him grow from a sweet and mischievous little boy into the caring and giving young man he was. Though when thinking back and hearing others tell stories of him. Even when he was creating chaos, in his own mind he could have been filling a need. In the recent years I didn't see him as often as I would have liked and now I feel the loss of that time not spent with him. But I did get a few important memories recently; I saw him reach Eagle in Scouts and witnessed his pride in that achievement. At a gathering of the family he showed me his car... he made sure to park close so that anyone walking by could be stopped and shown in excitment! I love all my nieces and nephews for unique and different ways and Sammy is one of a kind. I quietly still maintain that I suggested the name Spencer in the hospital before it was chosen so I like to think I helped name him.
I have a box of memories and have tried to keep drawings and gifts that my nieces and nephews have given to me over the years. Spencer's contribution is a Birthday Card that came from all the Mudaliar children. His card came in a second envelope (sadly that envelope seems to be lost) because it was too big for the envelope the others came in. Enjoy the picture.
Cathy Thomas
April 10, 2021
Spencer at Bothell Day Camp 2017, leading a rocket station. (Girl Scouts of Western Washington)
Cathy Thomas
April 10, 2021
Photo Credit: Yukari Crummett
Patricia Thomson
April 10, 2021
Sammy, you brightened our hearts with your smile, your mischief (you can make breakfast for me any day, Sammy) and your beautiful heart. You had a wonderful farewell after a life lived for love. Aloha, Sammy
Cathy Thomas
April 9, 2021
Some of my fondest memories were simply spent talking to Spencer. On most Sundays, he would find his way to my classroom in the church....whether that was in the YW room, or teaching a primary class he seemed to instinctively know where I would be and how to find me. Usually, he would patiently wait until the class was dismissed. Then, he would come in, help pick up the goldfish on the floor or get the vacuum cleaner for me and start to talk about whatever was exciting to him that week. One time he offered to buy our 1996 Acura Integra. When I asked him why he wanted to buy it, he said he really wanted to buy it for his dad. Another time, he learned that I was a day camp director in search of voluntters and he immediately told me that he wanted to help. I thought he was joking. A Boy Scout volunteering at a Girl Scout camp?! But he was completely sincere. While at camp, he was the hardest working volunteer I've ever seen. We were short-staffed and Spencer ran an entire station for several days with little to no help. He didn't miss a beat and the campers and planning committee all adored him. The camp name that he picked for himself was "Soda Pop". What I remember was that he never complained that it was crazy hot, that he hadn't had a break in 7 hours, or that he hadn't even eaten that day. He simply said it was fun and he enjoyed it and wanted to do it again the following year. And he did. I also remember him showing up unexpectedly at my door. He was working at Alberston's at the time and he showed up with the an entire "football-yard" of snickers chocolate bars. It was huge! He said he just wanted to say thank you for the help I gave him with his Eagle Scout project. I thought that was the sweetest thing--and am still humbled that he would even think to do something like that. He will be dearly missed and I'm grateful for my relationship with him. Be at peace dear Spencer. I will see you again my friend. Love, Cathy Thomas
Kim Barlow
April 8, 2021
It was a fun day when we had Spencer over. It was Abbey’s 15th birthday and we took him and another friend of Abbey’s to Crepes in Kingston. After crepes we came back to the house and the kids hung out together for a while.
Spencer has a big heart. I remember the time he came over and cooked us an amazing dinner. That boy has a gift for cooking!!!
We will miss Spencer!
The Barlows
Debbie Rudd
April 8, 2021
As a longtime friend of the Mudaliar family, I extend my sincere condolences to all of those who are grieving the loss of Spencer, who left this earth so soon and so suddenly. By all accounts, he was described at his funeral as someone who saw the best in everyone. The talks and beautiful solo provided a lovely tribute to Sammy.
Cheryl Mortensen
April 8, 2021
I met Spencer through his Grandma when he was little. My daughter McKenna and Spencer are the same age. At the time I was in the Brier ward. As the years moved on I grew closer to his Grandma and then in approx 2016-17 I served with his father Steve in scouts. That’s when Spencer became Sammy Boy to me. I moved into the Mountlake Ward officially and Makena dashes to me to greet me and Sammy Boy behind; both hugging me. From that day on never a day went by did Sammy Boy stop greeting me. He would shout “Hui Eh Aunty Cheryl” If he was driving he would stop his car pull over; and I too and we would hug and talk. I could be in a grocery line and Sammy Boy would yell and follow with a big warm hug. The day we lost Sammy Boy; I lost my warm strong hugs followed by with “Aunty you got this” I’ll miss you forever Sammy Boy. A Hui Ho!
Naina Goundar
April 8, 2021
We met him in his older brother 's scouts honor program, he was a very kind and loving kid,we wish his soul rest in peace, our hearty condolences to his family, we will miss him.
Linda Piekkola
April 8, 2021
I had Sammy in my Primary class for two years. He was always happy. He was kind to everyone in class. He helped me put all the children's pencil boxes away in my rolling case. I will miss his laughter and smiles.
Daryl Allen
April 8, 2021
I loved the mystery of my interactions with Sammy. We were able to chat a lot over the years, but I never knew if I'd be learning something during that conversation, sparring over some silly pop culture thing, or teasing each other about the current state of one another's hair. Sammy mowed my lawn for a while (most of it), and I always looked forward to those chances to get to know him better. Such a kind and generous soul. He left the world a better place, but he left it far too soon.
Jordyn Foster
April 7, 2021
I had been trying to learn how to ride a bike about a year ago. I had taken our old, beat up bike to the park and realized that there were many old ladies and small children running around. I was texting Sammy and told him that I was worried about running over babies and grandmas (I was that bad at steering). Sammy came to the park, easily a 30-40 min drive to teach me how to ride a bike. That's how I finally learned how to ride after 18 years of life, my friend had decided to take the time to teach me... and tease the living crap out of me while I steered like baby deer walking for the first time, telling me not to mow down the grandmas.
Ryan Ray
April 6, 2021
Sammy was always so sweet and friendly to my kids. One day at church he decided to give my two year old daughter a dollar out of his wallet, for no reason at all. She had no idea what to do with it and I tried to insist he keep the dollar for himself but he wouldn’t take it back. It was a fun display of his generosity.