Samuel A. Dreith

Samuel Arthur Dreith (88) passed quietly on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Sunshine Gardens Health Facility. Sam was born to Lucas and Katherine (Strecker) Dreith February 28, 1922 in Chattanooga, OK. He graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1941 and joined the Navy where he served as a Seabee until the end of WWII. He was stationed on the Aleutian Islands and on Okinawa. Sam returned to Oklahoma and married the love of his life, Lavada Mae Bandy on September 15, 1947. They purchased farmland and Sam continued his education. He also worked as a carpenter building many homes in the area. In 1963 he went to work for Civil Service at Ft. Sill, Ok and retired in 1994. He was an avid fisherman, farmer, and gardener. He and Lavada were active in their faith and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lawton for many years. They moved to Spokane Valley, WA in 2002 to be closer to their only daughter and family. They were married for 61 years when she passed away in 2008. Sam experienced such joy being around his granddaughters and great granddaughters. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. He was loved by many and the staff of Sunshine Gardens was a delightful extended family. Sam is survived by his daughter Darlinda Ramer and her husband Rod, granddaughters Jennifer Wood, and Julie Polhamus and husband John, great-granddaughters Miranda Wood, Haley, and Vanessa Polhamus, all of Spokane; Sister Helen Yarbrough of Tucson, AZ, brother Earnest Dreith and wife Shirley of Chattanooga, OK, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lavada, brothers Ruben and Harold Dreith and sister Alma Ruth Pierson. Pastor Sidney Johnson officiated the service on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 11:00 am at Spokane Valley Baptist church, 1222 S. McDonald Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99216. A graveside service at Pines Cemetery will be held on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 1:00pm. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in Chattanooga, Ok on January 22, 2011 at the Community of Presbyterian Church. Arrangements under the direction of Thornhill Valley Chapel, Spokane, WA.