I don´t know what happened to Sam, but he was an energetic, nice guy. He and John Wheeler were the quarterbacks for our 9th grade football team. A team that went unbeaten and outscored opponents 38-3 on average. Sam´s dad was one of my coaches at St. Paul´s, another gregarious guy who also died very young. When you think about it, everyone who crosses our path has left their mark on us. Usually in a positive way.
I was so sad to see that Sam had passed away. In 9th grade, I had a serious crush on Sam. Wow, he really did have it all.
When I was in my mid to late 20s, and going through a divorce, I was back in Pensacola visiting my parents and decided to get a haircut. The handsome guy who cut my hair looked awfully familiar. Lo and behold, it was Sam!! We both had a lot on our minds, and we talked and talked while he cut my hair. We made plans to get together later, but it just never happened. In all honesty, I think I was still pretty tongue-tied by him :-).
In one of her posts, Rosie Hill mentioned that, a long time ago, she and another classmate had run into one another and talked about getting together, but neither of them followed up and it didn't happen. Rosie said that finding out not long after their conversation that the classmate had died taught her not to take an invitation lightly, and to follow through when someone reaches out, even if the request seems disguised as a simple request to have lunch.
I don't know how Sam passed away, but I will always have sadness in my heart for not following through on his invitation. I will strive to be a better listener, and to follow through on those invitations! God bless you, Sam. I know you're at peace now.
Phil Payne
I don´t know what happened to Sam, but he was an energetic, nice guy. He and John Wheeler were the quarterbacks for our 9th grade football team. A team that went unbeaten and outscored opponents 38-3 on average. Sam´s dad was one of my coaches at St. Paul´s, another gregarious guy who also died very young. When you think about it, everyone who crosses our path has left their mark on us. Usually in a positive way.Sally Tahler (Draut)
I was so sad to see that Sam had passed away. In 9th grade, I had a serious crush on Sam. Wow, he really did have it all.
When I was in my mid to late 20s, and going through a divorce, I was back in Pensacola visiting my parents and decided to get a haircut. The handsome guy who cut my hair looked awfully familiar. Lo and behold, it was Sam!! We both had a lot on our minds, and we talked and talked while he cut my hair. We made plans to get together later, but it just never happened. In all honesty, I think I was still pretty tongue-tied by him :-).
In one of her posts, Rosie Hill mentioned that, a long time ago, she and another classmate had run into one another and talked about getting together, but neither of them followed up and it didn't happen. Rosie said that finding out not long after their conversation that the classmate had died taught her not to take an invitation lightly, and to follow through when someone reaches out, even if the request seems disguised as a simple request to have lunch.
I don't know how Sam passed away, but I will always have sadness in my heart for not following through on his invitation. I will strive to be a better listener, and to follow through on those invitations! God bless you, Sam. I know you're at peace now.