Kenneth Sam Sr. was born September 21, 1934 on the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation to Elsie Crutcher and Joseph Sam. He entered into eternal rest on April 13, 2018 at his home in Fort McDermitt, Nevada surrounded by family.
He is survived by his children, Gerald Sam of Winnemucca, Nevada; Laurel Sam of Fort McDermitt, Nevada, Kurt Sam and Kenneth Sam Jr both of Fort McDermitt; brother, Arnold Sam of Fort McDermitt; sisters, Reva Sam Northrup, Justine Sam Barr, Josephine Sam Dick, Elvida Sam Crutcher, Inelda Sam all of Fort McDermitt and Alva Sam Brown of Winnemucca, Nevada. He is further survived by 21 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren in addition to many nephews, nieces, and extended relatives.
He is preceded in death by both parents, two sons, Raynard Sam and Kevin Sam; four daghters, Darolyn Sam McKinney, Francine Sam, Emerita Sam Crutcher, and Althea Mindy Sam Alexander; brothers, Sheldon Sam and Delmar Sam; sisters, Carmen Sam, Ernestine Sam and one infant.
As a boy Kenneth was among many from Fort McDermitt who were transported to Stewart Indian School to receive a formal education. As a young man Kenneth lived in Owyhee with extended relatives for a brief time and had the opportunity to travel to the Southwest where he participated in the sport of rodeo, entering in the saddle bronc event as well as team roping.
In the early 70’s he lived in Pala, California for a brief time with friends and experienced the rodeo life. While living in the Southwest, he learned the trade of plumbing and worked for the Indian Health Service with the late Kimball Bacon.
Kenneth eventually returned home as an experienced jack of all trades and worked as a journeyman carpenter with a weatherization program under the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. Before retiring from the workforce, he was employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Wildland Firefighter and eventually became a Squad Boss for the Agency’s Camp Crew.
Kenneth was a spiritual man and followed the teachings of the Native American Indian Church and became a participant of sweats and the local Sundance ceremonies; travelling on several occasions to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation not only as supporter but as dancer.
In his spare time he loved to do landscaping and took exceptional pride in his healthy lawn and trees. He loved to walk and sometimes jogged 3-4 miles. He dabbled in jewelry making, creating chokers and arrowhead necklaces carved from deer antlers. Never one to be sitting idle he became a participant of an Aqua size exercise program; being transported with other swimmers twice a week by the Fort McDermitt Wellness Center to the pool in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Kenneth was affectionately known to many as “Grandpa Tom” who loved all his grandkids and spent as much time as he could with them. He will be most remembered for his joking manner and giving nicknames to family and friends.
