Sam Yoder

Biography

It is with great sadness that the family of Sam Yoder announces his passing from a heart attack on May 26, 2018. Although we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted in knowing Sam is in heaven and the Lord has made his well-used body whole again.

Sam was born in South Bend, Washington on April 20, 1965. He was raised in Yelm, Washington by his loving parents, Robert “Bob“ and Gretchen. From a young age Sam had sense of adventure and a propensity to do what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted to do it. During his youth, Sam was very involved in the Northwest Junior Rodeo Association, FFA and many other shenanigans.

Soon after high school, Sam married his first wife Jeanine and started a family. Daughters Jamie Rae and Jacqueline Rene were Sam’s greatest accomplishment. Sam supported both girls in their many endeavors and encouraged them to live their lives fully. He was immensely proud of both Jackie and Jamie.

Throughout life, Sam had many adventures. He refused to let his broken body stop him from living. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, riding, roping, haying, music, drawing, working livestock and much more. Often times, Sam would enjoy these things when his family would have preferred he be recovering from one the forty plus surgeries he endured in his quest to be free of pain. The music, he enjoyed mostly in the early morning hours waking his family from their quite slumber.

In the later part of Sam’s time with us, he met Leona, moved to Texas and married his love. Leona and her family brought great joy to Sam’s life. He treasured her fiery spirit. Sam and Leona were working hard to build the good life they both deserved so much. Leona reconnected Sam with the Lord. She pushed him to be a better person and loved him wholly, even when he pushed back, and we all know he did.

If Sam’s greatest accomplishment was his girls, his greatest happiness was his grandson Cole. From the time he learned he was going to be a grandpa, he was in love. Sam’s last adventure was to see Cole (and his parents) before they left on their next adventure in Washington D.C. Sam was the best papa he could have been and loved Cole more than words can say.

Sam will be lovingly missed by his wife Leona Yoder; parents Robert and Gretchen Yoder; daughter Jamie Weimer and husband Kevin; daughter Jackie Reintzell and husband Timothy; grandson Cole; step children Cierra McMurray and husband Matthew, Wyatt Rumfield, Cheyenne Searcy, and Waylon Rumfield; bonus child Dennis Blankenship; brother Robin Yoder and wife Micki; sister Gayla Francisco and husband Glenn; sister Lorretta Harder and husband Steve; several nieces and nephews; and first wife Jeanine Lopez.

A gathering of celebration will be held in Sam’s home state of Washington in July 2018. This celebration will bring together the many facets of Sam’s life. We expect quite an array of folks from Sam’s many adventures. Additional details will be provided by his family.