Samuel Lynn Neighbors' Obituary
Samuel Lynn Neighbors, age 86 passed away peacefully in his home in Katy, Texas, on June 27, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Sam is preceded in death by Linda Marie Ritter Neighbors, his wife of 62 years; son Kenneth Allen Neighbors; parents Kenneth Valentine Neighbors and Lucile Grace Poling Neighbors; and sister Leola Fern Neighbors Woodard.
Sam was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, on November 30, 1932, and was raised in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and California. He graduated from high school in Oklahoma in 1950, and immediately entered into military service with the U.S. Navy. He was stationed abroad the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Tarawa as an aircraft mechanic (Aviation Metalsmith) and spent time on tour of the Mediterranean. After his service in the Navy, Sam took advantage of the GI Bill, and graduated with an Associate in Applied Science degree from Oklahoma A&M College’s School of Technical Training.
Sam and Linda met on a blind date with friends at the AmVETS club in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1956. They both claimed it was love at first sight. They soon married and built a life together, weathering many trials with their compassion, understanding and dedication to one another and their four children.
Sam’s career in piping design started with drafting and by the end of his career he was known as a first-rate plant layout specialist, responsible for designing the piping layouts for petrochemical and nuclear power plants. His work took them to Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Michigan, Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, and Canada. After retiring, Sam and Linda enjoyed a trip to the British Isles, traveling to spend time with family and friends in different parts of the US, as well as many trips to casinos where Linda hit the slot machines and Sam participated in one of his favorite pastimes – playing poker.
Sam is survived by three daughters - Teresa and husband Dave Coker, Helen Neighbors and husband Chip Shepherd, and Melissa McLane; brother Allen Neighbors and wife Marolyn, sister Connie Neighbors, brother-in-law John Woodard; daughter-in-law Michele Neighbors; grandchildren Sarah Perez, Anna and husband Cody Watts, Nathan Neighbors and wife Cait Parry, Kyla and wife Maci Rosales, Delaney and husband Zachary Geisler, Samantha Shepherd, Katie Shepherd and Calli McLane; Patti Magee and her children Patrick and Maggie; nine great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the dedicated healthcare professionals at Fairmont Hospice, who demonstrated great caring, compassion and competency in helping Sam’s transition.
A memorial service to celebrate Sam’s life will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 2pm at Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004. (Reserved parking in Lot C; enclosed pavilion with a/c.)
If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider the Alzheimer’s organization (www.alz.org) or Amazing Place Houston (www.amazingplacehouston.org).
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