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Sam T. Davis III

About

George P. Butler High School University of Georgia

Sam Davis Obituary

Demographer, U.S. Census Bureau - Washington, D.C.
Sam T. Davis, III, 54, died unexpectedly Monday, June 27,2005 in Munich Germany. He was doing what he loved the best, travelling in Europe and holding his wife's hand.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1971 and a Master of Science degree in Statistics in 1976 from the University of Georgia. He was a member of the University of Georgia Redcoat band and enjoyed many homecoming games as a member of the Alumni Band. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Sam was a well-known figure on the UGA campus in the late 60's and early 70's. He held the distinction of being the longest continuing member of the Redcoat Band, as well as a pivotal figure during the colorful days of the student government.
He was a generous and gracious host and enjoyed the company of friends all over the world. He loved to travel and always sent post cards and brought thoughtful souvenirs home.
In addition to his wife, Cheryl Manning Davis, he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his parents, Sam and Alice Davis, his sister, Patricia Davis Hughes, her husband, Peter, and their son, John, all of Augusta.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 3, from 3-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, 3501 Walton Way Extension in Augusta, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the UGA Foundation, Redcoat Band Alumni Fund, c/o Jeffrey Delk, Director of Development, Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia, 250 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-7287.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Athens Banner-Herald on Jul. 2, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Sam Davis

42 Entries

Lynn Weidman

July 29, 2005

I saw Sam often over the last 15 years as we played together in the Census Woodwind Quintet. Sam came to practice ready to play and full of stories about music, his planned travels, or his home remodeling. He was a fine bassoonist and enjoyed playing everything fast, even if the rest of us didn’t want to play it quite so fast. But we did it. Sam, you were a good friend and Fridays will now not be quite so much fun.

Dianne Schmidley

July 18, 2005

I knew Sam for over thirty years and first worked with him in the Estimates Branch in the 1990s. We had many long discussions about demographic methods, Greece and New Orleans. I know he loved NO because of the jazz, and he once told me it was the "best" because it had the "right amount of sleaze". He also advised me to attend the jazz festival in Switzerland, and to visit Crete, where I know he and Cheryl traveled on many occasions. I will miss our long conversations, his "kidding" and his cheery smile. If there is a heaven, I am sure Sam is playing with Satchmo and the other angels.

Bill Schooling

July 11, 2005

My condolences to Cheryl and to Sam's parents and family and to all of us who called Sam our friend.

Sam will be remembered for many things, among others: kindness, humor, wisdom, his love of music and for being a true friend.

A person as special as Sam is missed, but I will always cherish having known him.

Bill Schooling

Assistant Chief, Demographic Research

Dept. of Finance

State of California

Peggy Payne

July 10, 2005

My sympathy and prayers to Sam's family. For years I enjoyed working

with Sam. That pleasant smile and

easy going personality will always

be remembered. We are better people by knowing Sam.

Greg Harper

July 8, 2005

I worked closely with Sam for 13 years. He was a kind, generous man who was a calming presence when things got hectic. Sam had a great sense of humor and was full of life. I will miss him.

Greg Williams

July 7, 2005

As is the experience of everyone who has written here, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Sam’s passing. Another empty space where a friend has been. A space so completely unanticipated. I too, had known Sam and worked with him for close to 25 years. We worked closely on estimates methods as well as the population estimates. We often shared excitement about some particularly “cool” aspect of methodology or characteristic of the data. Something unique to the special fraternity of demographers and statisticians. We shared a love of both classical music and jazz and we both loved New Orleans. He was the man with the camera, there to document every meeting, and as the digital age began we all got copies of the pictures taken at dinner, the Bureau or wherever we happened to be. His ready smile was a personal trademark. I shall miss him a lot. My condolences to Cheryl and his family. I’ll play a chorus of “The Saints Go Marching In” in his memory.

Greg Williams

Alaska State Demographer

Board Member - Juneau Symphony

Bruce Howerton

July 7, 2005

Dear Cheryl, Sam's parents and Pat, I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sam Davis, but I'm glad he died doing what he enjoyed and being with the one he loved. My memories of Sam go back to Wheeless Road School in Augusta and early on I knew he was destined for greatness, both professionally and personally. Though I have only seen him once since our Butler High graduation, I thought of him often. I always admired him and am pleased to know his friends cared so deeply. My prayers are with you.

Diana Rubin

July 7, 2005

I played with Sam for over ten years in the Census Woodwind Quintet. He frequently recounted some interesting tidbit of information about the composer whose music we were playing, or managed to come up with a funny story or two to liven up our musical hour. I'll miss you Sam...

Clara (Tina) Weddle

July 7, 2005

My deepest sympathy to Sam's family.

He will be miss specially at Christmas time (orchestra). God bless.

Cindy Taeuber

July 7, 2005

Cheryl and Sam's family --

I worked with Sam for many years in POP Division. He had a smile that stayed in the souls of everyone lucky enough to receive it ... and so many of us did because he was so generous with his happiness. The smile I remember most Cheryl, is the day he told us he was going to marry you. He was the happiest man. Sam and his smile and his generosity will stay with all of us forever.

Signe Wetrogan

July 7, 2005

I worked with Sam for the past 25 years. I always valued Sam's comments, thoughts, and insights to our population estimate activities. But most of all I will miss Sam's thoughtful and warm approach to dealing with people, his great stories, and wonderful pictures. My thoughts go out to his family. I will miss him as a valued collegue and friend.

Karen Woodrow-Lafield

July 7, 2005

Dear Cheryl and Family,

I send my sympathies to you. I and so many others remember Sam for his friendship, good cheer, and intellectual pursuits.

Ann Durkes

July 7, 2005

Sam's wonderful wit, laughter, stories, kindness, and common sense intelligence were a blessing to all of us associated with the Fed State Coop for Pop Estimates (FSCPE). Peace~Ann

Ann Durkes

Kansas Division of the Budget

Katherine Condon

July 7, 2005

I am grateful to have known Sam. He was generous with his knowledge and experience and this allowed me to get acclimated into the Census Bureau's Population Division quickly and relatively painlessly. He will be truly missed.

Celia Boertlein

July 7, 2005

I've passed Sam in the halls of Population Division, at the Census Bureau for so long that I still expect that to happen still. Our early morning encounters were always a pleasure. What a remarkable person. His death saddened us all. I'll miss him very much.

Mary Long Parson

July 6, 2005

Cheryl,Sam, Alice, Pat, Pete, and John,

I was so sorry to hear about Sambo. My prayers go out to you during your time of grief.

Mary Long Parson

Monique Oosse

July 6, 2005

My deepest sympathy to Sam's family. I enjoyed talking with Sam when I worked with him at the Census Bureau a few years ago. He always had helpful advice about work and a clever bit of trivia to share.

Patricia Montgomery

July 6, 2005

Dear Cheryl and family,

My condolences to you and your family. I worked with Sam many years ago and we have kept in touch all these years. I will deeply miss him. I know he has many friends here at Census that will miss him also.

Kelvin Pollard

July 6, 2005

I knew Sam from our participation at professional meetings, and I found him to be a very nice guy. My thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.

James Creech

July 6, 2005

I will always be grateful to Sam for the help he provided while working on my first major project in Population Division. My prayers go out to the entire family.

David Swanson

July 6, 2005

Sam was respected by applied demographers throughout the country. His presence will be missed at the demographic venues where Sam was a regular participant, particularly the annual meetings of the Southern Demographic Association.

Gail Queen

July 6, 2005

I will miss Sam's friendly disposition, especially in the mornings, as we pass each other, it appears, the same time each and everyday.

Sherri Norris

July 6, 2005

I met Sam last year during Project Management training. We each had to tell the class a little about ourselves and Sam mentioned playing the bassoon. The bassoon is an uncommon instrument to play so I made a point to mention to Sam during one of the breaks that my sister plays bassoon. I also mentioned that I was a former clarinet player. He was a member of the Census Bureau Woodwind Quintet and they needed a new clarinet player so he recruited me to play with them. He wouldn’t let me say no even though I was rusty and hadn’t played in a while. The quintet played at the Census Bureau Christmas concert last year. Sam was a great bassoon player and a nice guy. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.

Sue Frank

July 6, 2005

We will very much miss you Sam, your endless knowledge of musical repertoire, travel stories, tempo setting and friendship brightening our lunch time most every Friday. Sam, bassoonist in our Census Woodwind Quintet which I joined in 1987, was the last remaining original member. Our thoughts and prayers pour out to Sam, Cheryl and all Sam's family.

Gloria Mundo

July 6, 2005

Sam was always helpful when I needed his expertise when doing researches at work, I still have helpful e-mail's in folders that continue to answer requests. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Harland Shoemaker

July 6, 2005

My deepest sympathies to your family. I had the pleasure of working with Sam several years ago when we were revising the weighting for the Current Population Survey. He was a great colleague; the Census Bureau is going to miss his expertise and his wonderful personality.

Dr. Gregory Spencer

July 5, 2005

I worked with Sam for more than 25 years. I will miss his cleverness and sense of humour very much.

Edie Reeves

July 5, 2005

My deepest sympathy to Sam's family. Sam taught me almost everything I know about computers. We worked together at the Census Bureau and even after I moved to another office, he was a willing and patient teacher.

Jean Bradley

July 5, 2005

I knew Sam for decades as a friend and colleague at the Census Bureau - we both arrived early at work and shared many conversations before the rest of the crew showed up. Sam's conversations never continued on a straight line; rather, he moved from subject to subject at lightening speed, entertaining me all the while. He always saved me the corners of his chewy cake, and Christmas won't be the same without that e-mail in French to come up and get them.

Sadly, Sam and my husband Jack died on the same day last week, so I doubly feel your sorrow. Jack was another good ol' southern boy (from South Carolina) who loved Capitol Hill as Sam did, as Jack was a police officer at the US Supreme Court. I bet they're checking out all the good restaurants already.

Please accept my deepest condolences. I will miss Sam a lot.

Jean Bradley

Matthew Christenson

July 5, 2005

Dear Cheryl and family:

I was a collegue of Sam's in the Estimates Branch of the Census Bureau. My deepest sympathies.

Jane Dye

July 5, 2005

I will miss seeing Sam's friendly face in the halls at the Census Bureau. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Jean Cleveland

July 5, 2005

I am shocked and saddened to learn of Sam's death. All who knew him have wonderful memories!

Ken & Barbara Reid

July 2, 2005

We loved Sam dearly and had many wonderful times with Sam and Cheryl. Sam, we'll always remember Football Saturdays, Symphonic Band Spring tours, homecomings, your and Cheryl's wedding and our visits to your home. We love you both and will miss you terribly. May God bless and comfort your family.

I'll always cherish those wonderful times!

Sam (right, green hat) with family at 2005 Masters

July 2, 2005

Sam in full spate in Athens Observer, 1976

July 2, 2005

Jane Ben

July 1, 2005

Dear Cheryl, Sam, Alice, Patricia and family,

Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, son, brother, and uncle.

You are all in our prayerful thoughts.

Ray and Jane

Lori Phillips

July 1, 2005

Dear Sam, Alice, and Pat, This is such a sad happening. I extend to you all my sincere love, thoughts, and prayers. You're very special to me. Hope to see you Sunday. Call on me if I can be of service.

Gail Long

June 30, 2005

I want to express my sympathy to each of you. What a great loss this is to your family. It is very hard to face the death of your child, brother, or husband.

Please know you are in my thoughts.

Love,

Gail and family

Patricia Williams-Noren

June 30, 2005

My condolences,

Class of 68

George P. Butler HS

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