Samuel Dunaetz

1935 - 2022

Samuel H. Dunaetz

1935 - 2022

Samuel H. Dunaetz passed away on February 5th, 2022, at the age of 86 in Lompoc.

Samuel was born to Louis and Florence Dunaetz on October 13th, 1935, at Benton Harbor, Michigan. He was raised on a farm in Eau Claire, Michigan, where he went to school grades 1st-12th, graduating in 1954 from Eau Claire High School. Sam farmed on the family farm until 1958, when he went into the army until June of 1960. He married his first wife in 1959, and they moved back to the farm in 1960. In November 1961, he moved his family to Van Nuys, California, where he began doing carpentry. In 1974, he again moved the family to Lompoc, where he undertook all types of construction. He enjoyed watching his sons grow up in Lompoc, playing sports, fishing, backpacking, surfing, camping, and working alongside him, learning his trade. The boys married and he felt blessed when in time, along came four grandsons, a great-grandson, and a great-granddaughter, further extending his enjoyment of his family. He definitely was a family man.

Sam and Shirley married in 1987, going to England that same year for him to meet and spend time with Shirley's family. They repeated this trip about every two years, and they both enjoyed traveling to see the sights, not only in England but also in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

He was preceded in death by his mother Florence, sister Esty, brothers Leo and Hersh, and his sons Keith and Stephen.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Shirley, sons Michael (Teresa) and David (Robin), stepdaughter Gale Moore Silkowski (Chris), grandsons Brian (Nicole), David (Danielle), Daniel (Shyanne) and Matthew (Cassy), step-granddaughter Rachel Silkowski DeAscentiis (Michel), great-grandson Braydon and great-granddaughter Maggie, sister Shirley Averett (Gregg), nephews Forrest, Neal, Steven, Andrew, and nieces Missie, Joelle, and Lori.

After retiring, Sam enjoyed the world of antiques, collecting as well as buying and selling. He also found great enjoyment in something he had never had time before to do, reading; fiction, and non-fiction, whatever grabbed his attention. However, traveling with Shirley to all parts of the world was his passion, and they often took three or four trips a year.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Please donate to your charity of choice in Sam's name in lieu of flowers.