Samuel William Henry, Sr. was born May 30, 1929, at the Metcalf Ranch, near Deetz Station, Mt. Shasta, Siskiyou County, California. He was a fourth-generation California native. Sam died September 29, 2016, at age 87 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
During Sam's childhood, his father worked in construction and the family lived all over California and Nevada. Sam attended over 20 different schools, graduating from Mt. Shasta High School in 1946 at age 16, having tested out of 2 grades.
In 1949 he married childhood sweetheart, Adrianna Gardner. They had 2 children, Sam Jr. and Kathleen. Adrianna died in 1958. In 1966 he married Jean. They had two children, Eric and Kevin. Sam is survived by his children. He was further blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His brother, Raymond Henry, predeceased him in 1998.
Sam had a long and varied career. As a young man he worked in the logging industry and as a heavy equipment operator. He even worked as a garbage collector in his home town of Mount Shasta, which, he later stated, was the hardest job he ever worked. He also spent 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves as a construction specialist in the Seabees. In 1952 he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service and the family moved to the Southwest. Over the next 37 years with the USFS in the Southwest, he wore many hats and helmets, including that of firefighter, heavy equipment operator, crew boss, fire boss, range and timber management officer, national fire training center director, air safety officer, and law enforcement officer. He became involved with the New Mexico State Police as a search and rescue diver, land search leader and performed law enforcement duties for them in a Mounted Patrol unit out of Silver City, New Mexico. His employers and colleagues recognized his capabilities and he received many Letters of Commendation and awards for outstanding performance.
Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, collecting Indian art and artifacts, teaching, history, reading, genealogy, and travel. He enjoyed meeting people and striking up a conversation with strangers. It was often said that if one was looking for him, the United States was the search area. He was born, like those before him and those he raised, with "wanderlust" or, as his father James Henry would often say, the desire, "to know what is over that next mountain." Sam often said he was, in the words of the old Patsy Cline song, "The next of kin, to the wayward wind."
Sam was never shy about helping people when they needed it. This was particularly true when dealing with emergencies, within and outside of his job assignment. With a calmness and great resolve, he was able to provide whatever assistance was needed. His legacy includes a number of descendants that are also involved and health and safety professions.
Hard physical work was never beneath him. Even in later years, he was always willing to do his share, 'and then some.' He was a fountain of knowledge in many ways and was often able to suggest easier and/or different ways to accomplish a task or approach a problem.
He had many friends in both his personal and his professional life. He was respected for his ability to bridge cultural differences, and his devotion to those he loved. He was welcomed into their homes or services without question. Many of his professional acquaintances became lifelong friends.
As a result of all he achieved and did for others, he will be missed by many, in many different ways.
In his retirement years, Sam used Silver City, New Mexico, as his 'home base,' but traveled up and down the west coast visiting family and friends. The last few months of his life were spent in Wilmington, North Carolina, in order to be closer to family. As per his wishes, Sam is returning home to Mount Shasta. Graveside services for Sam will be held at Mount Shasta Memorial Park on Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 2 p.m.
During Sam's childhood, his father worked in construction and the family lived all over California and Nevada. Sam attended over 20 different schools, graduating from Mt. Shasta High School in 1946 at age 16, having tested out of 2 grades.
In 1949 he married childhood sweetheart, Adrianna Gardner. They had 2 children, Sam Jr. and Kathleen. Adrianna died in 1958. In 1966 he married Jean. They had two children, Eric and Kevin. Sam is survived by his children. He was further blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His brother, Raymond Henry, predeceased him in 1998.
Sam had a long and varied career. As a young man he worked in the logging industry and as a heavy equipment operator. He even worked as a garbage collector in his home town of Mount Shasta, which, he later stated, was the hardest job he ever worked. He also spent 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves as a construction specialist in the Seabees. In 1952 he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service and the family moved to the Southwest. Over the next 37 years with the USFS in the Southwest, he wore many hats and helmets, including that of firefighter, heavy equipment operator, crew boss, fire boss, range and timber management officer, national fire training center director, air safety officer, and law enforcement officer. He became involved with the New Mexico State Police as a search and rescue diver, land search leader and performed law enforcement duties for them in a Mounted Patrol unit out of Silver City, New Mexico. His employers and colleagues recognized his capabilities and he received many Letters of Commendation and awards for outstanding performance.
Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, collecting Indian art and artifacts, teaching, history, reading, genealogy, and travel. He enjoyed meeting people and striking up a conversation with strangers. It was often said that if one was looking for him, the United States was the search area. He was born, like those before him and those he raised, with "wanderlust" or, as his father James Henry would often say, the desire, "to know what is over that next mountain." Sam often said he was, in the words of the old Patsy Cline song, "The next of kin, to the wayward wind."
Sam was never shy about helping people when they needed it. This was particularly true when dealing with emergencies, within and outside of his job assignment. With a calmness and great resolve, he was able to provide whatever assistance was needed. His legacy includes a number of descendants that are also involved and health and safety professions.
Hard physical work was never beneath him. Even in later years, he was always willing to do his share, 'and then some.' He was a fountain of knowledge in many ways and was often able to suggest easier and/or different ways to accomplish a task or approach a problem.
He had many friends in both his personal and his professional life. He was respected for his ability to bridge cultural differences, and his devotion to those he loved. He was welcomed into their homes or services without question. Many of his professional acquaintances became lifelong friends.
As a result of all he achieved and did for others, he will be missed by many, in many different ways.
In his retirement years, Sam used Silver City, New Mexico, as his 'home base,' but traveled up and down the west coast visiting family and friends. The last few months of his life were spent in Wilmington, North Carolina, in order to be closer to family. As per his wishes, Sam is returning home to Mount Shasta. Graveside services for Sam will be held at Mount Shasta Memorial Park on Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Samuel William Henry, Sr. was born May 30, 1929, at the Metcalf Ranch, near Deetz Station, Mt. Shasta, Siskiyou County, California. He was a fourth-generation California native. Sam died September 29, 2016, at age 87 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
During Sam's childhood, his father worked in construction and the family lived all over California and Nevada. Sam attended over 20 different schools, graduating from Mt. Shasta High School in 1946 at age 16, having tested out of 2 grades.
In 1949 he married childhood sweetheart, Adrianna Gardner. They had 2 children, Sam Jr. and Kathleen. Adrianna died in 1958. In 1966 he married Jean. They had two children, Eric and Kevin. Sam is survived by his children. He was further blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His brother, Raymond Henry, predeceased him in 1998.
Sam had a long and varied career. As a young man he worked in the logging industry and as a heavy equipment operator. He even worked as a garbage collector in his home town of Mount Shasta, which, he later stated, was the hardest job he ever worked. He also spent 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves as a construction specialist in the Seabees. In 1952 he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service and the family moved to the Southwest. Over the next 37 years with the USFS in the Southwest, he wore many hats and helmets, including that of firefighter, heavy equipment operator, crew boss, fire boss, range and timber management officer, national fire training center director, air safety officer, and law enforcement officer. He became involved with the New Mexico State Police as a search and rescue diver, land search leader and performed law enforcement duties for them in a Mounted Patrol unit out of Silver City, New Mexico. His employers and colleagues recognized his capabilities and he received many Letters of Commendation and awards for outstanding performance.
Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, collecting Indian art and artifacts, teaching, history, reading, genealogy, and travel. He enjoyed meeting people and striking up a conversation with strangers. It was often said that if one was looking for him, the United States was the search area. He was born, like those before him and those he raised, with "wanderlust" or, as his father James Henry would often say, the desire, "to know what is over that next mountain." Sam often said he was, in the words of the old Patsy Cline song, "The next of kin, to the wayward wind."
Sam was never shy about helping people when they needed it. This was particularly true when dealing with emergencies, within and outside of his job assignment. With a calmness and great resolve, he was able to provide whatever assistance was needed. His legacy includes a number of descendants that are also involved and health and safety professions.
Hard physical work was never beneath him. Even in later years, he was always willing to do his share, 'and then some.' He was a fountain of knowledge in many ways and was often able to suggest easier and/or different ways to accomplish a task or approach a problem.
He had many friends in both his personal and his professional life. He was respected for his ability to bridge cultural differences, and his devotion to those he loved. He was welcomed into their homes or services without question. Many of his professional acquaintances became lifelong friends.
As a result of all he achieved and did for others, he will be missed by many, in many different ways.
In his retirement years, Sam used Silver City, New Mexico, as his 'home base,' but traveled up and down the west coast visiting family and friends. The last few months of his life were spent in Wilmington, North Carolina, in order to be closer to family. As per his wishes, Sam is returning home to Mount Shasta. Graveside services for Sam will be held at Mount Shasta Memorial Park on Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 2 p.m.
During Sam's childhood, his father worked in construction and the family lived all over California and Nevada. Sam attended over 20 different schools, graduating from Mt. Shasta High School in 1946 at age 16, having tested out of 2 grades.
In 1949 he married childhood sweetheart, Adrianna Gardner. They had 2 children, Sam Jr. and Kathleen. Adrianna died in 1958. In 1966 he married Jean. They had two children, Eric and Kevin. Sam is survived by his children. He was further blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His brother, Raymond Henry, predeceased him in 1998.
Sam had a long and varied career. As a young man he worked in the logging industry and as a heavy equipment operator. He even worked as a garbage collector in his home town of Mount Shasta, which, he later stated, was the hardest job he ever worked. He also spent 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves as a construction specialist in the Seabees. In 1952 he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service and the family moved to the Southwest. Over the next 37 years with the USFS in the Southwest, he wore many hats and helmets, including that of firefighter, heavy equipment operator, crew boss, fire boss, range and timber management officer, national fire training center director, air safety officer, and law enforcement officer. He became involved with the New Mexico State Police as a search and rescue diver, land search leader and performed law enforcement duties for them in a Mounted Patrol unit out of Silver City, New Mexico. His employers and colleagues recognized his capabilities and he received many Letters of Commendation and awards for outstanding performance.
Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, collecting Indian art and artifacts, teaching, history, reading, genealogy, and travel. He enjoyed meeting people and striking up a conversation with strangers. It was often said that if one was looking for him, the United States was the search area. He was born, like those before him and those he raised, with "wanderlust" or, as his father James Henry would often say, the desire, "to know what is over that next mountain." Sam often said he was, in the words of the old Patsy Cline song, "The next of kin, to the wayward wind."
Sam was never shy about helping people when they needed it. This was particularly true when dealing with emergencies, within and outside of his job assignment. With a calmness and great resolve, he was able to provide whatever assistance was needed. His legacy includes a number of descendants that are also involved and health and safety professions.
Hard physical work was never beneath him. Even in later years, he was always willing to do his share, 'and then some.' He was a fountain of knowledge in many ways and was often able to suggest easier and/or different ways to accomplish a task or approach a problem.
He had many friends in both his personal and his professional life. He was respected for his ability to bridge cultural differences, and his devotion to those he loved. He was welcomed into their homes or services without question. Many of his professional acquaintances became lifelong friends.
As a result of all he achieved and did for others, he will be missed by many, in many different ways.
In his retirement years, Sam used Silver City, New Mexico, as his 'home base,' but traveled up and down the west coast visiting family and friends. The last few months of his life were spent in Wilmington, North Carolina, in order to be closer to family. As per his wishes, Sam is returning home to Mount Shasta. Graveside services for Sam will be held at Mount Shasta Memorial Park on Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 2 p.m.
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