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Sam Morales
1931 - 2011
Sam Morales
1931 - 2011
Obituary
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Sam Morales Obituary
Sam was preceded in death by his grandparents Isidra Morales and Agustin Morales, his mother Maria Luna, his aunts Concepción Ramos and Refugia Morales, his uncles Guillermo Morales, Angel Morales, Jesus Morales, and Jose Acevedo, his sisters Lily, Margaret, and Rachel, and his brothers Adolph, William and Marcos.
Sam is survived by his wife Joan of Whittier; two daughters, Rita Louise Morales of Whittier and Joann Lodice of Placentia; two sons, Samuel Richard Morales of Whittier and Louis Michael Morales of Redondo Beach; one sister, Sally Flores of San Leandro; two brothers, Chayo Luna and Arthur Luna of Santa Ana; nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Sam was an amazing man who overcame many challenges throughout his life to consistently provide for his wife and four children. His family meant the world to him and he continues to live on through them. His wife Joan, however, was Sam's reason for living. He cherished Joan each and every day of their 61 year marriage. When she was diagnosed with Dementia at the age of 76, Sam did all he could to support her minute to minute needs.
Sam, who was a boxer as a young man, did his best to fight back against the disease that was taking his wife away from him. Sam did his best to keep Joan as mentally alert as possible by talking to her and reading to her for several hours each day. Unfortunately, as Joan's dementia increased rapidly, Sam's health likewise declined. He broke his hip at the age of 77 while helping Joan out of bed but was back by Joan's side as soon as he was able to walk again. Sam's health however, continued to suffer as his priority was Joan. Sam chronicled many of his final months with Joan and expressed his love for her countless times each day. He mentions in his diary how even at Joan's worse moments, they still somehow had great days together. He hoped and prayed for a miracle recovery for his wife so that Joan could be spared from the savages of dementia but it was not to be.
Sam continued to battle his own medical issues and was frequently hospitalized near the end, but he always demanded that he be released as soon as possible to get back to his wife. On his final return home from the hospital Sam knew he only had a couple of days left to live. Although in significant pain as he struggled to breathe, he was happy to be with his wife and at home once again. He was also glad to be surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and even some of his great grandchildren, in his final hours. As Sam's children proclaimed their love for him, tears ran down Joan's face as she somehow sensed what was happening. When Sam passed on, Joan, who can no longer speak or walk, attempted to reach out to pinch Sam's motionless body as if trying to wake him. Sam is now in a better place and watching over Joan and the rest of his family until they join him again in the after life.
Sam was a wonderful man who gave all he had to give to ensure the well being of his loved ones. We will keep his spirit alive in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Hills in Whittier and will be held on Friday, May 13th at 3 p.m. at the Rose Hills Memorial Chapel (Gate 1).
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on Sam's behalf to the Alzheimer's Association so that research can continue to better understand Dementia and find a cure.
Following are some of the milestone's in Sam's life.
1931 - (February 19th) Born at home in Santa Ana, CA - Lived at this home for 2 years.
1934 - 1937 - Adopted by Grandmother Isidra Morales and Aunt Concepción Morales. Lived at 1630 110th Street in Los Angeles.
1937 - 1946 - Lived at 9216 Hickory St., Los Angeles, CA
1946 - 1947 Construction work for future father in law, Ernest Curo
1946- 1953 - Sam worked out regularly as a boxer at the Main street gym and Hoover boxing gym.
1948 - Long Beach Shipyards
1948- Brief 3 month stint at Galvanizer Corp
1949 - Construction work
1950 - Married to Joan Ann Morales on 1/25/50 lived at 1150 1/2 E. 69th Street in Los Angeles, CA.
1950 - First daughter born, Rita Louise
1950 - 1953 - Galvanizer Corp - Welded and grinded small diameter pipes. Sam was promoted to "Lead Man" at the age of 21. Sam was seriously injured when he received significant facial burns when acid poured from a pipe and onto molten medal where it splashed out of the large container and onto Sam's face. Sam did not return to work for Galvanizer Corp and was hospitalized for 6 months as a result of the workplace accident. Sam was not able to return to the sport of boxing as a result of the injuries.
1954 - Construction Work
1954 - First son born, Samuel Richard
1955 - 1961 Roscoe Moss in Los Angeles, CA - Welder/Grinder
1958 - 1961 Purchased 1920 era home at 1751 E. 83rd St, Los Angeles
1959 - Second son born, Louie Michael
1960- Built new home in rear of 1751 E. 83rd at 8250 Beach St. Los Angeles, CA 90001.
1961 - Second daughter born, Joann,
1961-1965 - Rheem - Superior Tanks Division in South Gate - Welder/Grinder of large tanks
1965 - Luminall Paints
1966 - Opened Morales Paint and Supply at 6401 Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA.
1966 - 1980 Trico Industries Superior Division in Cudahy, CA. Welder/Grinder of large tanks - promoted to Foreman
1968 - Daughter Rita graduates from Huntington Park High School
1968 - First daughter Marries David Felix
1970 - First grandson born, David Paul Felix
1972 - Son Samuel graduates from Huntington Park High School
1973 - First granddaughter born, Sandra Louise Felix
1973 - First Son marries Josephina Ruiz and adopts Angela Morales (born 1969)
1975 - Purchased home at 8106 Borson St., Downey, CA 90242.
1977 - Son Louis graduates from Bishop Mora Salesian High School (Los Angeles) and attends Cal State Long Beach
1977 - Second grandson born, Samuel Paul Morales
1978 - Third grandson born, Michael Alan Felix
1979 - Daughter Joann graduates from Warren High School, Downey
1987 - Son Samuel marries Elizabeth Marquez and adopts Zachary Marquez (born 1970)
1987 - Angela's daughter born, Vanessa Castruritas
1987 - Son Louis marries Sylvia Mendez
1988 - Second granddaughter born, Clarissa Monique Morales
1990 - First great granddaughter born, Jasmine Felix
1991 - Second great granddaughter born, Elyssia Felix
1992 - First great grandson born, Edward Lopez
1993 - Second great grandson born, Christian Felix
1993 - Third granddaughter born, Tiffany Ann Morales
1993 - Angela's son born, Christopher Torres
1994 - Third great grandson born, Joseph Lopez
1995 - Attends daughter Rita's college graduation from Whittier College (BA in Psychology)
1995 - Daughter Joann marries Don Lodice
1996 - Formal Retirement from Trico Industries.
1997 - Attends son Louis' college graduation (BS in Bus. Admin & BS in Bus. Management) in San Francisco
1997 - Fourth grandson born, Joshua Lodice
1999 - Attends daughter Rita's graduation from Cal State Los Angeles (MS in Counseling)
1999 - Daughter Joann named Vice President at an association of realtors and Sam proudly announces it to the family
1999 - Fourth great grandson born, Jonah Felix (David Felix adopts Sheilo Moon [born 1996])
2000 - Sam and Joan celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary
2000 - Purchased home in Whittier, CA 90603
2004 - Fourth granddaughter born, Zoe Anabella Morales
2004 - Fifth great grandson born, Elijah Felix
2005 - Daughter Joann starts Scoreantiques.com and trademarks the name
2006 - Son, Louis Michael, earns sixth US Patent for AT&T
2008 - Sixth great-grandson born, Mikaih Felix
2009 - Granddaughter Sandra Felix is hired by Sam to care for Joan and later she cares for Sam as well. In 2010, Sam writes in his journal how wonderful Sandy is as their primary Caregiver
2009 - First great-great granddaughter born, Hailey Lopez
2010 - First great-great grandson born, Isaih Samuel Hillman
2010 - Grandson Joshua makes student council and is chosen to make the 6th grade graduation speech
2010 - Grandson, Samuel Paul, contracted by Forever 21 as make up artist for national advertising campaign
2010 - Granddaughter, Clarissa Morales, graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
2010 - Granddaughter, Tiffany Ann, earns silver medal as part of USA Youth Women's Volleyball team in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
2011 - Grandson Joshua makes the National Junior Honor Society
2011 - Granddaughter Clarissa Morales, who has been working in Prague since August, 2010, returns home on the evening before Sam's passing. She goes straight to see her "Papi." Sam was waiting for her - He embraced Clarissa, Tiffany and Zoe, with his last bit of energy and said "my babies."
2011 - Sam passes away at 9:35 am on May 5
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Martha Benzor
May 13, 2011
To:Joann,Rita, Richard, Louis and Pana
We had the privilege of knowing Mr. Morales, he was a exemplary man. He had a great influence on everyone one around him especially his children.
He built a strong foundation and taught values you have all carried on to your children and have thrived.
We saw how gentle he was with his grandchildren and his mild mannered voice and personality influenced them very much, his legacy will continue through his family that Sam and Joann created through God.
Mr. Morales loved his wife so very much and cared for her well being each and every day to the end of his precious life on this earth.
May the Lord carry you through this difficult time, may you carry his grace in your heart.
With all our love and with Sincerest Sympathy,
Rogelio, Martha Benzor and Family
Joann (Pana) Lodice
May 10, 2011
Dad,
I love you dearly and will miss you more than words can say. It’s taken me a while to write this because my heart is broken and this is the deepest pain I’ve felt in my entire life. Every time I see a picture of you or even think of you I can’t stop crying and I feel this ache in my heart, I miss you so much. I’ll never forget our daily conversations and how I’d call you at the same time each day and you would answer the phone, you would say, “Hi Pana doll.” Dad, I’ll be your Pana doll forever. How we would talk and laugh, those conversations will always be etched in my memory. The thought of not being able to see you or talk to you is unbearable.
Dad, thank you for being such a great father and teacher. You taught me so very much. I remember when I was a young girl how I would follow you around and you would show me how to fix things around the house, I was your little helper. How we would stay up late at night watching TV. How we would get the giggles and just look at each other and we couldn’t stop laughing and sometimes we would buckle over with laughter. Mom would say, “What’s so funny?” and then she would start laughing.
You were such a great husband and loved mom so dearly. When she got sick you took care of her every need and stayed by her side every minute of the day holding her and letting her know how much you loved her. I remember you telling me that you loved mom more than you loved yourself and to always remember, that was the key to true love. It’s the greatest love story of all time.
I’m so glad I was with you in the end. You wanted your family near you and it was wonderful that loved ones surrounded you; holding and caressing you while letting you know how much we love you. How you allowed three of the closest women in your life, Mom, Sandy, and Rita to be in the other room as you passed so they wouldn’t have to go through the pain of seeing you take your last breath. Your last act of love.
Thank you for being my DAD. We were truly blessed.
Jerry Shepherd Rose Hills
May 10, 2011
It has been my honor to assist your family at this difficult time.May God comfort you and blanket you in Peace.
Dad and me
sam jr. morales
May 10, 2011
Dad, I love you from the deepest part of my heart..I am taking this very hard..not to be able to share a laugh with you or call you makes me cry.it hurts so bad inside, my soul is wounded, I have been hit by the hardest punch ever. I have been crying even when I was doing my lawn, I think you would get a kick out of that, who cries while cutting there lawn..you will always be in my thoughts and in my prayers..I will continue to talk to you..Dad, I always knew that my love for you was so very deep, I always worried if you were doing ok,
I miss you so much.I will miss the stories you loved to share with me about boxing and growing up. You showed me what true love was when you took care of mom til your dying day. Thank you for all the beautiful smiles and laughter and the hard work you put in to support us. I was so very lucky to call you Dad
your loving son
Richard (Sam jr)
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You and me Dad - Forever!
Louis Morales
May 10, 2011
Dad you will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. I will never forget how you were always there for Sylvia, Clarissa, Tiffany, Zoe and I. I will always know what true love is because of you. You demonstrated what love is every day, year after year, through your devotion to Mom. You've set the bar very high and I so respect you for that. I'm so glad I was able to tell you what a great dad you were. I only wish I could have given you one half of what you gave me. You were also the very best possible grandfather to my three girls and your memory will never die.
May 9, 2011
My dear Dad I love you and miss you. You were such a good man. You took such good care of our mother in her time of need. You showed me through your example that Love is an action word! I am proud that God chose you to be my DAD. You are with me and in me. I love you Daddy
Louie, David, Michael, Dad, Sam, Don
Rita Morales
May 9, 2011
Dad, his two sons, two of his grandsons and one of his son-in-laws!
Sam Morales was an amazing man who loved his family dearly and cherished his wife Joan throughout their 61 year marriage.
Louis Morales
May 8, 2011
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3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601
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