Hi,
I knew Samuel around the time of when I was maybe 9-10. Not sure the exact age or date we met, but I do know he was one of my mentors in a Bible club. I went on his page today, out of pure curiosity, to find out how he was doing, just to be saddened after reading some of the tagged posts under his page. He was one of the best mentors I’ve had, I only remember him from the club and I remember how kind he was to me. He was truly a lovely person and pushed me to try my hardest! 

I miss you Shmoop. I miss photography with you and watching you draw your beautiful art. Your laugh was contagious and I loved how you always made things lighter. We love you Samuel...

Words cannot express my sorrow for the passing of this young man, so full of life.  Condolences to his family and friends.  I teach at Ferris and did not know him, but still feel compelled to honor a former Ferris student.  


Samuel,
We connected through laughter and friendship. We loved color and design. You saw the world through an artist's eyes. I'll never forget those beautiful brown eyes. You are a star and are happy and free to live with God above.  I wish to see you soon bud, 
Love you very much.
Shine bright for us. 
Cassie

Sincerest condolences from the Kendal family.  

We remember Samuel from when he was a young child when we lived in Cass Lake Woods and we watched him grow.  He was always a great kid and grew into a fine, upstanding young man.  He will be badly missed.

We are so sorry for your terrible loss.

Aaron Kendal
Natasha Kendal
Abigail Kendal
Leah Kendal

My husband Jay and I had the honor of teaching Samuel at Kendall College of Art and Design. So thoughtful and talented I remember Sam telling me how much he wanted to teach art and I told him he was perfect for that because he had such a passion for art and he cared so much for others. He took my husbands painting class and Jay would tell me over and over what a good painter he was. I remember running into Samuel in the hall and he stopped me to say how much he loved Jay's class he was learning so much. Samuel was a wonderful painter and a lovely young man. How lucky are we to have had the privilege of teaching such a gifted artist. You will be missed Samuel.


Samuel and I took many of the same classes together at Kendall over the past two years. We spent most of our time talking about our ambitions and career goals. As we grew to know each other, I noticed that our conversations almost always revolved around helping people, and it was Samuel who was steering these conversations. He once said, "I love teaching the youth of America," and he said it with a smile. Samuel's willingness to help people was limitless, and teaching focused that energy into something rare. 

My ever lasting memory of Samuel will be when he was younger and we all had a picnic. He was playing with the others and having fun, full of energy and happy. That's how I'll remember him. Heaven has gained another angel.

 I had the privilege of connecting with Sam during my first semester at KCAD. I met him at an Art Education conference and we became buddies during that weekend. I remember dancing our hearts out at the little party that was hosted. I got to see a glimpse of his goofy, kind, and selfless personality. The way he talked about teaching and his passion to help kids through art was beautiful. His kind soul radiates. I only wish we would have continued to stay in touch after that semester. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. 

I remember one time I drove you somewhere,  it was the first time I ever really hung out with you alone and we were both so awkward that when you got out of the car you said “good job” and then walked away then immediately came back and was like I had three phrases in my head and my brain picked the wrong one to say to you😂 So thank you for driving me. I’ll never forget our little quirky interactions or our deep long talks 

I am very saddened and sorry to hear of Samuel's demise. I remember him as a happy, lovely baby. My condolences.

I had the pleasure of having Sam as a student at West Bloomfield High School, he was creative, thoughtful, kind and his smile brought joy to so many people. I am so grateful to have known him as he shared that incredible joy with me. His passing will leave a void for so many and I will remember him when I see people smile.  Thank you, Sam for sharing your joy with the world, you will be missed. 

Samuel was one of the most genuine and kind-hearted people I’ve met. He was so passionate about teaching and the love he had for his kids surpassed everything. When he smiled everyone in the room felt like they could share in his joy. His artwork was just as brilliant as his teaching too. Always thinking, creating and doing everything in his power to help others be heard, he was a force for good in this world and he will be missed greatly. I hope that as his classmates we can embody and honor his spirit every day by showing the same warmth and kindness he always did. I am sure he has been welcomed into loving arms and will continue to watch over his loved ones. Rest In Peace Samuel, we miss you and we’re all so grateful to have had the chance to know you.  

Samuel, you were like a little brother to me. You helped me to stay open minded and I am so blessed to have known your beautiful, quirky, brilliant, caring, selfless soul.you will forever be in my heart and the hearts of so many others. I love you. 

Sam became like a brother to me during my time with him at Kendall. We've shared many classes together, we've been partners in multiple group projects and have written many art lessons together. He was always so encouraging and friendly. I remember on Valentines day I got everyone in our little Art Ed group friendship bracelets, he immediately put his on and expressed over and over how thankful he was for it. He was so sweet and excited about it. It brought me so much joy whenever I would see him wearing it at school and in pictures. He had that effect on everyone he met, just always made them smile and feel special. The kiddos we worked with flocked to his side and he easily made deep connections with them. The world will not be the same with out Samuel, he will be missed greatly by me and all of us at Kendall.

It was an honor to be Sam’s first secondary school art teacher. I witnessed his maturation process from middle school to the tenth grade I believe when he then switched high schools.
When he reached tenth grade, his interest in art slingshot from middle school. Not only his interest but in skill too. When he switched schools he would come back to OCS to pick up his sister Sophie. Sam would have his portfolio and the first time he showed me the works he had in progress it was mind blowing in contrast to his middle school years. He would continue to make these after school stops in the art room where we would have great discussions on his art, art careers and general technical advice. His improvements were truly remarkable. When he told me one day he planned on teaching art I couldn’t help but well up inside when he left the art room. His kind demeanor and compassion would have made him an incredible art teacher. His skill and determination would have made him a successful artist. I will miss him deeply!

Samuel and I were very close in high school. I would often come over to his house after school during the week and would spend a large portion of my summers at his house. During the summers we would be outside or kayaking around his lake or having a bonfire. My mom used to pick me up from his house and I would always reek of ash from the bonfire. We had many good memories and shared many laughs. I remember one time we were playing pool and we went upstairs for a snack. His snack of choice was drinking chocolate syrup straight from the bottle. Sometimes we would go to Detroit to take pictures of the urban landscape there. He was always very artistic. When he first moved into his apartment in Grand Rapids, I visited him, and he showed me around the city. When he moved to school, we would still keep in touch by staying up all night playing Xbox together. Samuel made a large impact on me in my formative years. He has been a great friend to me. He will be missed, and he will always be remembered. Rest in peace Samuel. 

Sam was a student in my Medical Method I Illustration class at KCAD.  Sam was a hardworking dedicated skilled talented student who did exceptionally rendered work that would have made him a great Medical Illustrator. But his passion drove him to seek a different direction....  his heart pulled him to the path of teaching.  I was so excited for him when he decided to go into Art Education because I knew that he would make a wonderful teacher,  mentor, and friend to his future students!  I knew this because of all the kindness, compassion and caring he shared with all of us. I saw it in his eyes when he told me he wanted to teach! I saw how happy he was when we would meet in passing and talk about his experiences in the art education program.  It is heartbreaking to think of this loss...  my love and prayers go to all of Sam's family and friends.  I sincerely pray you find comfort in the memories of this sweet young man... his smile was a gift... and he was a treasure.
Nancy Hart 
Friend and Assistant Professor KCAD

Sam was one of nicest, kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met in my life. I got to spend an entire summer with Sam at Manitoulin in 2018 and got to hang out with him a bit in 2019 too and there was never a dull moment. From getting your tattoo, to playing Smash in your apartment, to pestering you at 3am while you painted your paddle and hanging with everyone at your apartment in 2018. You were an amazing man and you’ll never ever be forgotten. You’ve left in impact not just in Michigan, but over the entire world. We love you, Sam.

It was my pleasure to have Sam as a student when he was in high school. He was always kind, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. I always thought he was much more mature than most of his classmates. He had an aura of wisdom and sweetness. My heart is broken for his family, his friends, and all of us whose lives were touched by him. Momma Bols

Samuel was truly one the nicest people I've met at Kendall College of Art and Design. We had a class together and we partnered up for a presentation project about interior spaces. We based our project on Madcap Coffee's interior space. When we all went, Samuel said he didn't like coffee, but I felt determined to find something he would like. Though he still didn't like coffee when we left, from then on I considered him a friend. I am not the most outgoing person, but Samuel, on several occasions, would call my name as I walked to class and we would stop, talk, and laugh together. He helped to bring me out of my comfort zone and grow as an individual in just that short time that I knew him. He brought a light to those around him and I am forever grateful to have been given the opportunity to know him. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to Samuel's friends and family. Know that he left a great impact on those around him. May he rest in peace.

Samuel was the most kind, genuine and  caring human being I may have ever had the pleasure of meeting, I only knew him for a short amount of time when we worked together but he impacted everyone he came into contact with. I am so lucky and forever grateful to have known Sam. Rest easy. 

Being a classmate with Samuel, it was impossible to ignore the connection he made with students in our classroom and the classrooms we taught in. He had a gift with children, he was always so patient, caring, and invested in each student. A different side of him came out with those kids and I am so grateful to have seen his impact. He was also super funny. He was quiet but he spoke up at the perfect rimes to crack some kind of silly comment. 
Samuel and I never got to be really close but we would always chat anytime we'd find each other in the halls or the classrooms. He lit up anytime you'd ask him about Sammy, so I made sure I asked often. We we going to walk at ceremony together. It'll definitely feel empty without him there.

Sam is one of the kindest people I've ever met. I feel lucky that I've met him during the Summer 2018 at Camp Manitou-Lin. I will never forget his passion for art, his great musical taste, his spontaneous ability to make sure that everybody else were having a good experience. I felt comfortable around him. I'm sure people will always remember him, and be inspired by him. Sam, just like we said to each other in my last day at Camp: I hope to see you again someday.

Samuel was one of my closest friends at Kendall, he was one of the only people I would spend time with outside of school. The very first time we hungout we ate an entire pizza together and played Mario Party for hours, it’s too bad he’ll never have the chance to try and beat me again. Being friends with Samuel is something I’ll forever be grateful for, through him I learned so many things about art, teaching, friendship and caring for a friend. Samuel could walk into a room and light it up and there was never a day he didn’t make me laugh. Even on his bad days he always asked how I was doing and would care for me and that is a true friend if you ask me. I am deeply saddened I won’t be seeing his smile, or hearing all about his dog, or watching his art and teaching skills grow any longer. Samuel was a great friend and will be missed by so many. 

I only got to spend time with Samuel for one summer, but that one summer was enough for me to see what a humble and dedicated man he was. Always with a smile on his face, he made the lives of those around him that much better and he always made such a difference to the kids he was teaching in his arts and crafts room. I'm truly grateful to remember him as a friend. I love you Samuel.

Please accept the heartfelt sympathies of the entire Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) community. We are honored that we were able to be part of Samuel’s journey and deeply saddened by this loss. Samuel was a kind soul and will be greatly missed by his fellow students as well as our faculty and staff.


I was one of Samuel's professors at Kendall College. I had the pleasure of watching Samuel teach children about art. He was always kind and caring with his students. He had an extraordinary level of compassion for others and that came through in his teaching of art. Samuel was able to connect with children in a way that brought joy into the room. He would help them see that we are all different yet connected and similar at the same time.  He was most joyful when he was teaching. He loved his family and his dog. When I would ask him how he was doing he would respond -  pause, look me in the eye and ask me how I was. That is empathy and kindness at its best; thinking of someone else.  I will miss Samuel dearly. I will miss his kindness and his sensitive demeanor.  I am grateful that our paths crossed and I had the honor of getting to know him. 

Samuel was one of the kindest people I’ve ever come across, and his happiness was infectious.  The way he’d go out of his way to help people, even spending an hour working on something with me once just to provide a couple of minutes of laughter to some campers is something that I strive to emulate everyday.  Thank you for sharing so much with me, Samuel, and thank you for being an amazing friend and inspiration.

This is so heartbreaking. Samuel was so kind hearted, talented and genuine. I remember going to his apartment at GV and checking out his amazing artwork. I remember going to Applebee’s with Samuel and he would make the whole group laugh with his jokes. Samuel was a great friend and great person. Rest peacefully Samuel. 

Samuel and I worked together at camp a few years ago. I remember conversations we would have about his art, and his journey to becoming an art teacher. Sam was a wonderful person, artist, and coworker. There is no doubt that he is creating magnificent drawings up above, continuing to brighten everyone around him. He is truly missed, and undoubtedly holds a special place in our hearts. 

Samuel was very beloved by his peers at KCAD.  They were a loving group who cared about each other very deeply. Samuel would invite banter and enjoyed playing the straight man. He talked about the joy of getting his new dog, who liked to make appearances on our Zoom classes once we went on-line. He shared his grief at recently losing his grandfather, whom I am sure met him at the gates in heaven. He will be sorely missed. He would have made a wonderful teacher- I know his recent kindergarteners were already charmed by him. We already miss you, Samuel and wish we could be there to celebrate your life with your family.
Cindy Todd- KCAD Art Ed Professor

Samuel was a great classmate and friend to me at KCAD. I’ve loved getting to watch him grow as an artist and as an amazing teacher. The way that he cared for his friends, family, and students was incredible. I’ll miss seeing his face light up when he talked about teaching. I hope you’re at peace up there man. Rest Easy Samuel.

I had English Capstone with Samuel, during, and after he was always willing to have a nice conversation. He asked how I was doing and was a kind face to see on campus. It was rare to come across someone around his age with such consideration and manners. He will be missed. 

I had the pleasure of knowing Samuel most of my childhood. We played on the same t-ball team and had many mutual friends growing up in West Bloomfield. Although he was a year older than me, he was always a stand up, genuine guy who had an immense passion for teaching and art. He will be greatly missed and I wish the best for his family. 

I was Samuel's supervisor at YMCA Camp Manitoulin. He was an amazing young man and I was blessed to be able to work with him that one summer. He was talented, humble and incredibly nice. I was always remember his smile and his laugh. He painted a paddle for one of the sessions that will forever hang on the dining hall wall at camp. He will be missed. That I have no doubt. 

OBITUARY

Samuel Abejean

October 18, 1998 – May 10, 2020

Family Funeral Care

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