Jonnie Sam II

1956 - 2025

Jonnie "Jay" Sam II
Brethren, Michigan
02/02/1956 - 06/23/2025
Jonnie Jay Sam II, "Jay" to those who knew and loved him, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025. Jay was born in Manistee, MI on February 2, 1956, the son of his late parents, Jonnie Jack Sam and June Ann (Forshee) Sam. Jay lived with his parents in Whittier, CA, until they moved back 'home' to Manistee, in 1965. Jay attended Brethren High School, graduating in 1974, and went on to attain his dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Public Administration from Central Michigan University in 1978.
Jay enjoyed life. He had two major passions; playing golf in the Tall Grass & Trees, and being a loving "Pops" to his two sons, Jonnie Jay Sam III and Keith Allan Sam. Jay always made time for his sons, whether it was attending WWE events, major pro and college sporting events, or the latest movie premier, his travels with his sons were always legendary.
Jay was also a proud citizen of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. From the early years of LRBOI as a non-profit organization, Jay's involvement helped shape the government and its purpose. Jay was a primary author of the Tribe's constitution, and served as its' Court Administrator and Appellate Justice. During his time on the Bench, he also assisted Tribes all over Indian Country in creating their court systems to reflect their specific community values. Jay also served as the Tribe's Ogema, expanding citizen services and transitioning its gaming operation into the major resort destination it is today. He also served as LRBOI's Director of Historic Preservation until his retirement earlier this year; this was the work he was most proud of. Jay spent countless hours researching historic maps of mounds, agricultural and village sites in efforts to protect sacred cultural sites, burial mounds and objects. In his capacity as THPO Officer, he repatriated persons and cultural items to their homelands, caring for them traditionally, spiritually and respectfully. Jay was a member of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and served on the Michigan Anishinabek Cultural Preservation & Repatriation Alliance (MACPRA), shaping Michigan state and collegiate policies regarding the protection and repatriation of Native American cultural items and human remains.
Jay is survived by his children, Jonnie Jay Sam III and his wife, Rochelle; and Keith Allan Sam, both of Manistee, MI; and his grandchildren, Gabriel Sam of East Lansing, MI, Kaylin Sam of Ann Arbor, MI, Jayston Arnold of Bear Lake, MI, Trista Arnold of Manistee, currently living in Trento, Italy. He is also survived by his siblings, Jessica and Kris Steinberg, of Brethren, MI, Janine Sam and Brian Bower of Byron Center, MI and Jeffrey Sam of Manistee, MI. He was also Uncle Jay to seven nieces and six nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the Little River Casino Event Center in Manistee, MI. Visitation will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the services at the Event Center. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2025 at Corfu Cemetery in Brethren, MI.
The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.
www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com