Gary Lee Samad, Sr.,70, of San Angelo passed away on August 15, 2013. He was born on November 8, 1942, to Leo and Frances Wainscott Samad in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the second of six children. Gary graduated from Western Hills High School in June 1960 and joined the United States Air Force in July 1960. He married Harriet Pale, also of Cincinnati on April 3, 1961. They had three children. During his 24 years in the Air Force he and the family traveled to assignments at Air Force Bases in Japan, Greece, England, New York, and Texas. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Air Force on November 1, 1984. Gary started to work in Civil Service at Goodfellow AFB, TX, on December 3, 1985 and retired at Goodfellow on December 25, 2004. During his time at Goodfellow he performed jobs as an instructor, Registrar, Training Development Chief, Training Manager, Chief of Faculty Development, and ended his career as the Director of Operations for the Training Support Squadron. Gary was very active in the Masonic bodies as well as in community organizations. He joined the Masonic Lodge in June 1969 and became a member of the Scottish and York Rites, and Shrine. He helped to form the first English Speaking Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Greece. He was a Past Commander of the York Rite bodies in San Angelo. He was a founder of the Suez Shrine Greeter Unit and Clown Unit, and also served as the President of the Texas Shrine Greeters Association. He was honored by being the “Orator Emeritus” of the Suez Shrine Temple. Gary was an active member of the community serving in many positions. He was on the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of San Angelo, a member of the Concho Cadre. He graduated from the Citizen’s Police Academy (twice) and served as a Disable Parking Patrol Officer in San Angelo. He was proud of his military career and was a Past Commander (twice) of the American Legion, and a Director of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, as well as a Trustee of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Men’s Auxiliary. He is survived by his wife of 52 years; and three children, Gary Jr. and his wife Ruth of San Diego, California; Susan Beach and her husband Ty of Navarre, Florida; and Jeannette Hill and her husband Brian of Newport, Vermont; and also two granddaughters; Brittany Motley and Rebecca Samad. He is also survived by three brothers, Leo Sam Samad, Jr., of Cincinnati, OH, Ronald Lee Samad, of Cincinnati, OH, and Roger Sam Samad, of Las Vegas, NV. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, August 18, 2013, at VFW, 125 S. Browning St., with Ty Beach officiating, and will include military and Masonic ceremonies. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals for the Elderly.
Family and Friends May sign an online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.
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