Samuel Van Dyke III

Born August 5, 1966 in France to Samuel Van Dyke, Jr. and Arthelma Van Dyke, Samuel passed away at home in Dallas, TX. Affectionately known as “Sammy�, he received his formal years of education through Richardson Independent School District and graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1984. Sammy was an avid athlete. While at Lake Highlands, he was an integral member of the football team which won the state championship in 1980. Also while at LHHS, Sammie went to Nationals in BBI Baseball. Upon graduation from high school, Sammy continued his passion for football and went to University of Arkansas where he was a running back and majored in Sociology and Psychology. There, he also pledged and became of member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Later, he devoted his life to counseling troubled youth. In 1991, Sammy married Marie Monte. To this union, two beautiful children were born, Vanessa Marie and Samuel “Van�. Eventually, Sammy pursued a career in the lens industry at Grummon. At the time of his passing, he was employed at Pearl Vision. Sammy accepted Christ at nine years old. A member of New Mount Zion Baptist Church since childhood, he enjoyed being a part of the usher ministry. Sammy genuinely touched the hearts of all who encountered him. All who knew him will dearly miss him. Sammy leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Vanessa Marie Van Dyke and Samuel Van Dyke, IV; the mother of his children, Marie Van Dyke; his mother, Arthelma Van Dyke; two aunts, Lavelma Simmons (Otis) and Annie Washington; one uncle, Joseph. K. McKinney, Jr. (Betty); cousins: Lisa Gillum, Laytee Thomas, Bernard Thomas, Janet Mack, Terry McKinney (Victoria), Joseph K. McKinney, III (Callie), Frank Nunn, and Jewel Nunn; and a host of other relatives and friends.