08/11/1921 - 11/03/2007
The Grand Finale
On Nov. 2, 2007, I received a call from Karen saying that Uncle Sam
wanted to see me.
She said that he was so bad he probably wouldn't make it through the night.
She said his heart valve was so bad that he would most likely die from heart attack.
I immediatly call Unc and told him to wait for me, that I would be there in the morning.
I left my home in Gresham, OR at 6:45 am and arrived shortly after 9:30 am.
Uncles eyes just lit up when he saw me, and my heart was so filled with love.
Uncle was making a stand for me!!!! He knew all I had gone thru with the death of my
Mom in Feb. For me, in my life uncle was the best!!! He was so loving and supporting,
never negative, always so so good.. He always stuck up for me! He was the BEST!!!
Aunt Florence and Uncle Roy, Aunt Kathryn and Allen had gotten there the night
before. Dale and Glinda and Bob were also there with Aunt Ardie.
I had an appointment in Seattle, that I could not get ahold of to cancel so I had to get to Seattle, I told Unc to wait for me and I would be back shortly.
After my appointment left my work, I recieved a call from Unc, I said I was leaving right
away and to wait for me.
I arrived back in Dupont, about 5 and Unc wanted me to get on the computer to show me something, and I wanted to show him pics of my brother Bill white river rafting..
He was telling me to click on the wrong icon so it wasn't working, so he got up.
He was so weak. Dale helped him to my side. He sat in his little wheel chair and his
eyes shut, he seemed zoned out and I was saying to him.. "Unc, not now, not at the computer please!!! Unc, not now!!!!" He opened his eyes and continued where he left off
before he zoned out.. I personally think he was dying right there at that moment.
Everyone was silent, All you could hear was me saying "UNC NOT NOW"
He went back to his chair, and that whole thing must have wore him out because he took a little nap.
When he awoken, his neighbor Gary was there. He had already toasted a brandy with Bob the neighbor, and once he saw that Gary was there, He again toasted with Gary.
He kept saying "THIS IS GREAT, THIS IS JUST GREAT HAVING A PARTY"
He kept saying he was going to be with Jesus. He tried to make his peace with everyone, He told Aunt Ardie what a wonderful wife she had been, and told Dale he was sorry for not believing him about situtations Dale grew up with, he told Dale that he
knew the truth!!
He then told Glinda to get him his last milkshake, that he had 8 minutes. He took off his oxygen and said "I don't need this any more!"
He then said "well I better go to the bathroom to empty myself out."
So Dale and Gary helped him get to the bathroom.. He was so weak!
My brother Bob had just called as he went into the bathroom and was told to call back
in a few minutes.
Uncle came out of the bathroom and Dale went to lift him to his chair - his eyes closed
and we all knew! This was it. The moment Uncle went to be with Jesus, Dale was holding him in his arms! Dale felt 3 heart palputions and a swish against his chest from his Dad, we all knew Uncle was gone. Gary kept saying to Uncle at this moment "Sam we love you, Samuel we love you" I was saying "Unc please answer me, I was not used to you not answering me!"
I will never ever forget the look on Aunt Flo and Aunt Kats face.
Their big brother was gone!!!
My brother Bob called back but it was too late. He didn't get to talk to Unc.
Karen was called immediatly, and got there and listened to his heart. He was gone!!!
I went over to Unc's body and hugged and kissed him and rubbed his forehead.
My Unc was gone. I will miss him so much... As I know everyone else will too..
HE WAS THE BEST!
The next day Aunt told me that Uncle wanted me to know that "They were wrong!" Even though I knew he knew that, it warmed my heart so
much to know that those were his words.. thank you so much UNCLE!
For all that was there at Uncle's party, we will never forget the amazing exit from this earth. Unc had said in a previous email, " he was ready and excited to see what was on the other side and to see all his relatives and friends. And to be with Jesus!"
Uncle Sam you will be missed!!!!!
Janice Grant
Stories about Uncle Sam
Loosing the one person in your life that you truly believed cared for you,
Is again one of hardest thing that has happened to me this year.
At least this time, I was called on the phone and given the clue.
That my Uncles time was here, and the time was due.
When the morning sun began to rise, I loaded up my car.
North I was heading, and within a few hours I would be there.
Knowing in my heart, I was headed to say good-bye,
to the Man who meant so much to me and I started to cry.
As I headed north my head began to flood,
so many memories so precious to me,
All about my Uncle and what was to be.
He was there for everyone, so good and so true.
I have so many many storys I could tell you
As I recall this story of my younger brother Bill,
he was bound to the east coast to get a seaman skill.
he was a meer 21 yrs old, Bill was all alone, on a mission, had a great plan!
He asked his 3 parents for a helping hand,
to get him there. A messly $200.00 I swear!
Remembering this story just breaks my heart, for my brother Bill,
He finally in desperation did call Unc, who was still then living on the hill
without question Uncle paved the way.
Uncle was proud to help, to help his nephew.
He knew Bill would do it and soon some day!
This career that Bill once had for years and years, was thanks to Uncle Sam.
Those were Bills exact words. Uncle Sam's the MAN!!!!
I think I will like to make this a page where we can write our memories of Uncle Sam,
I know I am. I would love to read and write all your stories right here too..
please email my your stories (poems would be nice) about Uncle..
I know we all have lots and lots of great storys we will all love to read..
thanks Love Janice
About 20 minutes before Unc left us, he grabbed his brides hand!
