John J. Sam III Dies; Services Set Dec. l6

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Created on Friday, 02 December 2022 13:02

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John J. Sam III

Services are scheduled for John J. Sam III, who passed away October 20, 2022,  in San Jose, California, at the age of 72.

Panakita services, a memorial service and inurnment will be held 1 p.m.  Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at Sitka National Cemetery.

John was born  Feb. 19, 1950, at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, the son of Jake and Bessie Sam. His Tlingit name was Kudaandáayi, and he was a great-great grandchild of Chief Kaawa.ee (Kowee), and came from the L’eeneidi (Dogsalmon).

He was the fourth child and oldest son of 10 children (four boy, six girls).  He took his role of older brother seriously, his family said. For example,  the family had a great set of encyclopedias, and John made his brother Bob read every one of them.  Before John enlisted in the U.S. Navy, he made sure his house was taken care off by making sure it was insulated, had new siding and the roof was repaired.

A natural carpenter, he was always quiet but doing something for others without asking for or receiving thanks.  His quiet actions spoke with kindness for family and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Isabelle Sam and her sons (John’s parental uncles), John, Jacob, Louis, Henry, Frank, Tom and Alan; his aunt Martha (Blankenship); his maternal uncles, John Fred, Matthew Fred and Joe Kanosh; maternal aunts, Mary Castro, Hazel Bennett, Sophie Peck, Fannie John; his aunt by marriage Evelyn Roehl; his parents Bessie and Jake Sam; and his sister Brenda (her sons Steven and Andrew).

He is survived by his brothers: Fred (Tina) Sam of Anchorage, David Sam, Robert (Azumi)  Sam of Sitka; sisters Wilma Smathers of Everett, Washington, and Barbara Borgen, Marie Young, Christine (John) Paul and Evelyn (Tom) Schenck, all of Sitka; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.

John was an enrolled member of Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Shee Atika Inc., of Sitka; Sealaska; and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska. 

John received his early education from Sitka schools, graduating in May 1969 from Sitka High School.

John enlisted in the Navy in 1969, and was on the USS Tunny, a Gato-class submarine stationed in Charleston, S.C.,  as an electronic mechanic. One of his tours was in Greenland.

He received the National Defense Service medal; Good Conduct Award for service ending Sept. 9, 1974; Navy Expeditionary medal.  In 1974, he extended enlistment for two more years at the request and for the convenience of the U.S. Government.  He was honorably discharged in 1976.

Soon after that he moved to California, where he continued school at Philco Ford Technical School in Santa Rosa, California, and graduated with a degree in electronics maintenance II.

In 1977 John enrolled in Foothill College in Los Altos Hill, California, and graduated with an associate of science degree.

John worked at other large companies such as Burroughs Corp., Memorex, Unisys & Maxtor. He was project manager for Western Digital Technologies in San Jose, California, until he retired in 2019.   

After retirement, his hobbies included short wave radio listening, building electronic kits, and fishing, camping, going to movies. He also loved going to various pow-wows, and he loved music, traded a lot, and made copies for family. He was an avid Johnny Cash fan, and his favorite band was Pink Floyd Band. 

He returned to Sitka on holidays – including the Fourth of July and Alaska Day – to visit with his family. The last time he came was in April, to help celebrate his sister Barbara’s birthday. 

Pallbearers will be John Blankenship, Alan Blankenship, Eric Drake, Lawrence Young, Mark Young, Kevin Young, Jacob Payenna, Steve Hill, John Paul III, Allen Paul, and Christopher Paul.

Honorary pallbearers are Fred Sam, David Sam, Robert Sam, Tom Schenck, John A. Paul Jr., William Kanosh, Roxanne Drake-Burkhart, Ted Burkhart, Robin Williams, Bill Williams, Dale Williams, Gene Bartolaba and Ed Young.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

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