Samuel Colon - Velez

Samuel “Sam” Colón-Velez, age 89, of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away on October 3, 2025, from an extended illness. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Miguel A. Colón and Esperanza Velez. Sam is predeceased by his sisters, Diana, Miriam, Carmen, Ulde, and his brother, Miguel.

A proud veteran, Sam honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960. After his military service, Sam spent six years working in private industry followed by a 26-year distinguished career in the federal government which included the Treasury Department, Department of Navy, Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At the EPA, he received a Silver Medal for Superior Service, the 2nd highest EPA honor award, “for exceptional achievement in developing data systems to expand State and Federal capabilities to protect the Nation’s air quality.” However, Sam was not done, he went on to work for another 15 years with the State of North Carolina Division of Employment Security in the role of Associate Director for the Call Center. While building his career, Sam pursued higher education and achieved a BS in Business Administration from Jacksonville University and a Master’s degree in Political Science from NC State University.

His passion in life was to always strive to help others and treat everyone with dignity and kindness. His dry sense of humor and quick laugh was well known and enjoyed by his family and friends. A friend of Sam’s was a friend for life. Sam also had a deep love for music and was a talented pianist which was greatly enjoyed by his surrounding neighbors. Sam fiercely loved his family and often said, “my children are the greatest achievement in my life.”

Sam is survived by his wife of 27 years, Toni Colón; his sister, Lydia Smith; his daughters, Michelle Humphreys, Renee Colón (Kari); his sons, Alan Colón (Kara), Carlos Colón (Broni); and seven grandchildren, Christopher, Meghan, Tristan, Barrett, Zander, Carly, and Chloe.

The family would like to especially thank the caregivers from Amivie Stay at Home Senior Care and the wonderful team from Transitions Hospice for their love and compassionate care.

We warmly invite friends and extended family to join us for a memorial service at Millbrook United Methodist Church, located at 1712 E Millbrook Road, Raleigh NC 27609 on Friday October 10, at 1:00 PM, immediately followed by a brief reception. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated as we honor and celebrate Sam’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org and Transitions LifeCare at www.transitionslifecare.org.