Samuel John Elder
September 9, 1932 - March 23, 2007
Obituary
Samuel John Elder passed away on March 23, 2007, following a seven-month
battle with cancer. He was born on September 9, 1932, in Phillips County,
CO, the fifth son of Joseph Arthur and Irene Woodmancy Elder. He married
Hope Smail in Grand Island, NE on November 6, 1965. He is survived by his
wife, Hope, of Federal Way, daughter Ruth of Olympia, son Sam, Jr. and
daughter-in-law Chéri Ann of Bellevue, mother Irene of Federal Way, brother
Walt of Federal Way, sister Jolene Madison of Boise, Idaho, a large extended
family, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph and
brothers Lloyd, ”Guy” Joseph Jr., and Bob.
Sam grew up in Grand Island, NE, and lived there for many years. He
graduated from Grand Island Senior High School and attended the Grand Island
School of Business. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War after
which he worked as a file clerk for the FBI in Washington, DC. He later
worked as a meat cutter for Swift and Company in Grand Island, where he was
a local union president and delegate to international labor conventions.
Sam and his family moved to Federal Way, WA in 1979. He then worked for
A.J. Hanson & Co. in Seattle until his retirement in 1998. Sam and Hope
have also owned and operated Elder Antiques and Collectibles since 1997.
Sam’s hobbies included watching sports especially Cornhuskers football,
traveling, card playing, and collecting records. He was a Golden Eagle
member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 378. He was active in
the Washington Cornhuskers, Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, 30th
District Democrats, and the American Legion.
Family and friends are welcome to join us at a service remembering his life
in the clubhouse at Belmor Mobile Home Park, 2101 South 324th St., Federal
Way, WA, starting at 1 PM on Saturday, March 31st. Inurnment will be at
Tahoma National Cemetery. Please sign the guest book at
www.bonneywatson.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to either the
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, PO Box 4717, Federal Way, WA 98063
or the scholarship fund of the Washington Cornhuskers, 706 SW 296th St.,
Federal Way, WA 98023-3549.
I will always remember Uncle Sam as a happy, social man who loved talking about sports! He gave a lot to those around him. I know that he donated a lot time time to the Federal Way Community Caregiving Network. He will be missed. Love, Sharon and Scott Stevens
Hope, Ruth and Sam Jr.:
I was very sorry to hear that Sam had passed. Sam stopped by City Hall in early February to tell Derek Matheson goodbye before he left for his new position in Covington. I talked with Sam at that time about his struggle with colon cancer and he was very positive considering what he had been through. Sam was an outgoing, likeable man that generously gave of himself to the community in many ways. He was that “smiling face” in the crowd and I shall always remember those wonderful qualities about him. Please accept my deepest sympathies during this difficult time.
Patrick Briggs
Sad to See Sammy gone. He and I spent many an hour together when we were both in High School and both worked at the Stratton Hotel in G. I. The family has my condolences.
My sincere condolences to the entire family. Sam’s heart was as big as his smile.He was always looking for ways to assure that Federal Way was a healthy and safe place to live.
We’re so sorry to hear that Sam is gone. Wish we could have gotten together after you left here. I tried to find where you went because I have a picture of Sam with Hubert Humphrey at one of our union get togethers. Secret service and the whole bit. Please send me your address and I will send it to you. If you’re ever back here please call us. Our address is 5 Morningstar, Clarks Ne 68628 and you have my e-mail address from this. Deepest sympathies to you all.
Hope and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Our condolences. There are many happy memories of talking with him at the house over pizza and popcorn, with him finding us kids some summer jobs at his work… We miss you Mr. Elder! Our thoughts to the rest of the family whom we all hold dear to our hearts.
We wanted to let you know that we will miss Sam very much and will always remember his smiling face and sincere greetings when we happened to meet! Our condolences to the Elder family.
Hope & Family: We wanted to extend our sympathies for Sam as a voice out of your past. remember Dr Bosley’s office We hope you are being strong for the children. May God be at your side, as I know you will miss Sam very much. Just for your info, our youngest, John III followed me into the medical field and is now a paramedic. Take care!