Samuel G. Bednorz

Samuel G. Bednorz, 89
World War II veteran
Sam Bednorz passed away peacefully in the home he built in Alamogordo on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Bednorz; his parents Joe and Marie Bednorz; his sister Lucy and his brother Ted.
He was the first of eight children born into a farming family in White Deer, Texas, on July 1, 1921. Four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 927th Signal Battalion. He served in Germany, France, Italy and North Africa and was honorably discharged at the end of the war.
In 1946, he married Clara Kilhoffer in Canute, Okla. He owned and operated Sam's Electric in Leedy, Okla. They moved to Alamogordo in 1952, after Sam was offered a position with Bell Aircraft. He later worked as a refrigeration specialist for Radiation Service Company before opening his own business, Alamo Refrigeration. In 1981, he went to work for Aramco Oil Company in Saudi Arabia as a construction foreman until his retirement. Sam and Clara enjoyed many years touring the country in their RV, fishing at Caballo and Elephant Butte Lake, and traveling abroad.
He was a devout Catholic and was a founding member of St. Jude's Mission.
He was active in the Lion's club, VFW and Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and served as the local commander for several years.
Sam is survived by his daughter Marla and her husband, Rick Clarke; his son Samuel (Sammy) G. Bednorz Jr.; his daughter Lavona and her husband, Bob Queenan; and his son Ardel and his wife, Dee Dee. He is also survived by his brothers Leo and Norbert and his sisters Elizabeth, Tillie and Frances.
Sam had 13 grandchildren, Cheryl Anderson, Ted Clarke, Sarah Bednorz, Jennifer Bednorz, Joey Bednorz, Jeremy Bednorz, DeLaina Mendez, Brandon Johnson, RaeLynn Salcido, Heather Leach, Christopher Bednorz, Jason Bednorz and Rebekah Bednorz, and six great-grandchildren.
Mass of Creation will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at St. Jude Parish.
Inurnment will follow at St. Jude Parish Columbarium.
The Bednorz family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the arrangements. Cremation will take place locally at PCS.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.