Roy Dale Sam

To quote Roy: “It’s always something”.

Roy Sam was known by many names: Bud or Buddy, Sam, Dad and Roy.

Roy was born in a sod house in North Dakota, July 14th, 1927. He had 9 brothers and sisters. Roy is the last of his family members, his generation. In his early life, he was not without hardship: his parents both died when Roy was very young. He then moved from relative to relative, working on various farms. He would spend summers shepherding sheep on faraway public land, where he slept and cooked in a covered wagon, pulled by horses. Supplies were brought in about every two weeks. Then during harvest season he worked the various farms, plowing, shocking wheat, oat, barley. For plowing he drove an old steel rimmed wheel tractor.

He went to various schools near the various farms. In his second year of high school, he writes in his memoir:

“I was sitting at my desk gazing out the window when the teacher asked, ‘Roy, what are you doing?’. I replied that I was wondering what was over the next hill, to which she said, ‘Why don’t you go and find out?’ And so, my days of wanderlust started!”

He moved to Aberdeen, Washington, where he worked at a pulp mill before convincing a sister to sign for him, at 17, to join the Merchant Marines. He was assigned to his first ship as a Mess Man a few days after Japan’s surrender. With mines and hostilities continuing after that date, he is a WW II veteran.

Always curious and industrious, he learned and studied, moving to the engine room by his second voyage. He rose to “Chief Engineer”, the highest level possible outside of Captain. He met Dorothy in 1952 and married in 1953. Vickie, his only child, was born in 1954. Being a sailor, he was often gone a year at sea, returning for a few months between sailings. He circled the globe many times and brought home exotic items throughout his career.

He has a full page list of the various ports - about 50 - he has visited around the world. He has seen some of the wonders of the world, traveled to the Great Pyramids, ridden the bullet train in Japan, dined in the Taj Mahal hotel in India, transiting both the Panama and Suez Canals.

Again, referring to his own writing: “So from a farm boy in North Dakota to Chief Engineer of Steam Vessels plying world sea-lanes I thought was quite a step up.”

He was caring and a very good provider for his family. He retired in 1972. Using his engineering licenses, Roy worked as building engineer at Fredrick & Nelson and Safeco until retiring Dec 31, 1989. Still curious to see the world, Roy and Dorothy traveled much of the west in RV’s. He joined organizations like the Elks and Masons where he attained the 32°. Roy loved bowling, card games, cribbage, hunting, fishing and exploring. He was organized, keeping logs of everything he did.

Roy was extremely handy. He built a house outside Granite Falls and was well versed in anything mechanical, electrical or construction. He was fearless at tackling projects. Anything he built was over built, almost indestructible. He was a man of integrity and honor and he expected the same in return. He led a great life.

Roy passed away March 11th, 2021.

He leaves behind his daughter Vickie, and her husband Steve Jones.

His love and legacy will live on in his grandchildren Shayla Kerr, Nicole Gorman, Kristi Oliverson and Peter Jones. And in his great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

We are sad to lose him but know he is in a better place. We will always love you Roy!!

A funeral service for Roy will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036, followed by a graveside service and a reception.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillslynnwood.com for the Sam family.