Samuel (better known as Sam G.) was born in Denver, Colorado, to Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Guevara. He grew up in Toppenish, Washington, with his five brothers and two sisters. There he met his wife, Lily Correa, and they married on July 5, 1958 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
After they were married, Sam and Lily moved to Kent, WA. Sam worked as a riveter at Boeing alongside some of his brothers and then was drafted into the army in 1958. The army took him and Lily to Fort Ord, CA, then to Houston, TX, and Baltimore, MD. Sam trained to become a Dental Assistant. He also worked at the ordinance post where they tested tanks. Sam came home and worked for Boeing a little while longer and then was drafted into the National Guard. After two years with the army and two with the National guard, he was honorably discharged.
Sam and Lily are very special people and after it was determined they couldn’t have children, they adopted three children-Tina, Robert, and Christina-and raised them as their own. Much to their surprise, after 22 years of marriage, they were blessed with a pregnancy and the birth of Elizabeth.
Sam worked for Boeing as a riveter, alongside some of his brothers. After being laid off from Boeing, he went to the Renton Voc-Tech (now the Renton Vocational & Technical College) where he completed the Major Appliance & Repair program. Sam also spent time as an orderly at Valley Medical Center and a a janitor at Greenwood Memorial Park. Shortly thereafter, he found his way to Washington Natural Gas (now Puget Sound Energy) where he was a Customer Serviceman for 27 years before retiring.
Anyone who met Sam would know right away that he was a devoted and committed husband and father. However, those who knew him well knew would also know that he was devoted and committed to a life of spreading the message of AA. After many close calls with his life and a few too many blackouts, Sam made the decision to live his life without alcohol. At first he was skeptical about what the AA program could offer him, but he soon learned the value of the AA message…take it “One Day At A Time”. Soon Sam was going to meetings every day, sometimes 2-3x per day, to learn more about the program and to gain support of those around him who had already been successful. In going to the meetings, he learned that it is possible to live without alcohol. He soon developed a love for AA because he saw how it could change lives, his life. With this new knowledge and lease on life, Sam became a sponsor for others who were on the same destructive path that he had once been on. “I do know there’s something greater than me. And I know I don’t know all the answers. However, I do know that if I carry the (AA) message, that someone might listen.” Sam soon became a leader in the Renton AA group and many looked up to him for his knowledge, tolerance, and honest talk. His favorite ending to one of his talks was, “I’ll end with this…”…but he never really ended. He always had more to say. People loved that about him because he spoke from his heart and with a sincere desire to help others.
Samuel is survived by his wife, Lily, his son, Robert, and three daughters, Tina, Christina Longfellow (Happy), and Elizabeth Guterson (Taylor); four grandchildren, Hunter and Hayden Longfellow, and Everest and Maverick Guterson; and Sister Sarah Vargas. Samuel was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Teresa Guevara; Brothers Marcelino, Daniel, Salvador, and Victor; Sisters Celia and Helen.
Join us on Thursday, March 28, as we honor and celebrate Sam’s life at St. Anthony’s Parish (314 S. 4th St, Renton), with a Visitation/Viewing from 10am-11am; Funeral Service at 11am; and Interment with Military Honors at Greenwood Memorial Park & Funeral Home (350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton) immediately following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, AA members can make a donation in Sam’s name to the Renton Group or to the Greater Seattle Intergroup, 5507 6th Avenue S, Seattle, 98108.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18