Allan Lee Sams
November 1, 1944 — December 27, 2013
Allan Lee Sams was born in Atlantic, Iowa on November 1,1944. He was the son of Alvin C. and Gladys M. (Cunningham) Sams and was one of four children in the family.
He attended the Franz Country School until 8th grade, when he came to Avoca and graduated with the class of 1962. He was united in marriage to Nan West on February 5, 1967. They were the parents of three children: Brian, Mark, and Jennifer. Allan served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Norris from October 1962, until February 1966.
He worked for Stemple Implement from 1966-1968, after which he moved to work for John Deere in Grinnell, Iowa. They returned to Avoca, and Allan returned to work for Stemple Implement in 1971, and continued there until retiring from Horizon Equipment in January 2011.
Allan was involved with the following clubs: Avoca Optimist, President of Avoca Optimist, Boy Scout Leader, Fair Board, American Legion Post #227, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Commissioner of Legion Baseball, 40 & 8, Commander of the Legion, and Sergeant at Arms. He was a member of the United Church of Avoca, where he served as Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Youth sponsors. Allan enjoyed bowling and bowled on several different leagues. Allan also raised the flag at the home football games for many years. During the time of the Blue Grass Country Music Festival Allan could be found at the church stand cooking meat, which he continued to do for special occasions. He also could be found in his garage sorting cans for the Optimist and donating the money to many groups around town. Allan received the Citizen of the Year Award as well as the Couple of the Year Award.
Allan is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jo Ann. He is survived by his wife Nan, his sons, Brian and wife Trisha of Utica, Nebraska, and Mark and wife Jodie of Omaha, Nebraska. His daughter, Jennifer and husband Kevin Gee of Imogene, Iowa. His grandchildren Benjamin, Natalie, Lily and Brielle Sams of Utica, Nebraska, and Ian and Ryan Kennedy of Omaha, Nebraska. His brother Gary Sams of Clive, Iowa. His sister Donna and her husband Gail Larsen of Emerson, Iowa. Also mourning his loss are nieces, nephews and many friends.
Pastor Nancy Ross Hullinger officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service on Monday, December 30, 2013 at the United Church of Avoca in Avoca, Iowa. Music was provided by Cheryl Langer, Randy Dunst, and bagpiper Ron Husted. Junior Honorary Casket Bearers were his grandchildren: Benjamin, Natalie, Lily, Brielle, Ian, and Ryan. Honorary Casket Bearers were Tom True, Dave Jorgenson, Dave Holst, Dale Roush, Arnie Sampson, Kenny Hursey, Bill Christain, and Bill Byland. Serving as casket bearers were Roger Dau, Bob Jorgenson, Vic Smith, Jason Ethlers, Wayland Nelson, and Tom Russman. Military Rites were performed by the Fred Funston American Legion Post No. 227 at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.
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He attended the Franz Country School until 8th grade, when he came to Avoca and graduated with the class of 1962. He was united in marriage to Nan West on February 5, 1967. They were the parents of three children: Brian, Mark, and Jennifer. Allan served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Norris from October 1962, until February 1966.
He worked for Stemple Implement from 1966-1968, after which he moved to work for John Deere in Grinnell, Iowa. They returned to Avoca, and Allan returned to work for Stemple Implement in 1971, and continued there until retiring from Horizon Equipment in January 2011.
Allan was involved with the following clubs: Avoca Optimist, President of Avoca Optimist, Boy Scout Leader, Fair Board, American Legion Post #227, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Commissioner of Legion Baseball, 40 & 8, Commander of the Legion, and Sergeant at Arms. He was a member of the United Church of Avoca, where he served as Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Youth sponsors. Allan enjoyed bowling and bowled on several different leagues. Allan also raised the flag at the home football games for many years. During the time of the Blue Grass Country Music Festival Allan could be found at the church stand cooking meat, which he continued to do for special occasions. He also could be found in his garage sorting cans for the Optimist and donating the money to many groups around town. Allan received the Citizen of the Year Award as well as the Couple of the Year Award.
Allan is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jo Ann. He is survived by his wife Nan, his sons, Brian and wife Trisha of Utica, Nebraska, and Mark and wife Jodie of Omaha, Nebraska. His daughter, Jennifer and husband Kevin Gee of Imogene, Iowa. His grandchildren Benjamin, Natalie, Lily and Brielle Sams of Utica, Nebraska, and Ian and Ryan Kennedy of Omaha, Nebraska. His brother Gary Sams of Clive, Iowa. His sister Donna and her husband Gail Larsen of Emerson, Iowa. Also mourning his loss are nieces, nephews and many friends.
Pastor Nancy Ross Hullinger officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service on Monday, December 30, 2013 at the United Church of Avoca in Avoca, Iowa. Music was provided by Cheryl Langer, Randy Dunst, and bagpiper Ron Husted. Junior Honorary Casket Bearers were his grandchildren: Benjamin, Natalie, Lily, Brielle, Ian, and Ryan. Honorary Casket Bearers were Tom True, Dave Jorgenson, Dave Holst, Dale Roush, Arnie Sampson, Kenny Hursey, Bill Christain, and Bill Byland. Serving as casket bearers were Roger Dau, Bob Jorgenson, Vic Smith, Jason Ethlers, Wayland Nelson, and Tom Russman. Military Rites were performed by the Fred Funston American Legion Post No. 227 at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.
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