Sam Capp

1953 - 2024

Sam lived a life of adventure and curiosity, filled with family and friends. He was born in San Jose, California, in 1953. His loving mom soon found herself single, scrambling to complete a nursing degree while wrangling Sam and his three brothers. All four boys fondly remember playing outside in the orchards and creeks that surrounded Los Gatos and extended visits over the hill with grandparents in Santa Cruz for beach play and surfing by way of gramma's cookie jar.

In his early teens Sam followed his dad and second family to Juneau, Alaska. He loved it. Hunting, fishing, hiking the Chilkoot with his Scout troop and racing motorcycles kept him busy. He worked in various small family businesses, washed dishes at The Barn and washed dogs for Doc Lobaugh. By the time Sam graduated with the Juneau Douglas Class of 1972, there was a third family in his life. There were no "steps" in his world, just a complex family of dad, three moms, a sister and seven brothers. Sam was very fond of them all and confounded anyone who tried to figure out how his grafted family tree fit together.

Sam returned to his California home for college. The opportunity to learn to Hang Glide lured; he was quickly hooked, and a ten-year soaring adventure began. A call from his older brother in Fairbanks sent him north again for a construction job on the Alaska Pipeline. He bought a beat-up pickup truck to transport his glider up the Haul Road where he worked at the Isabel Pass camp. His flight log records a March flight there at -26 degrees. Sam formed several lifelong friendships and retold many Pipeline stories.
In January 1977 Sam lit out for New Zealand with a 45-day excursion ticket and a backpack. Instead of returning home, he continued to Australia. Realizing there was much more to see, he headed east. He broadened his world view with stops in Bali, Java, Singapore, Rangoon, Thailand, Nepal and India. He bought an old Volkswagen bus to drive across Afghanistan and Iran, visited Turkey, Greece and Egypt, and ended the year with a visit to Norway to meet his grandfather's family before returning to the U.S. in November.

Even at a young age Sam had a great curiosity for how things worked, and he never outgrew that. Sticking a butter knife in an electrical outlet while still in a diaper foreshadowed his apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. For Sam, working hands-on was a great fit. Every day there was a new puzzle of systems to plan, construct or remodel. As a Wireman member of Local 1547, Sam, and the IBEW crews, worked all over Southeast Alaska, moving power underground on South Franklin Street, tending runway lights, Egan lights, gold mines, school remodels, hospital remodels, state office buildings, NOAA facilities, boat harbor upgrades and university housing. As a Journeyman Sam was very proud to continue the legacy of apprenticing newcomers to the electrical trade and formed many friendships. Any willing colleague would also be offered before- and after-work fishing opportunities, gear provided.

Sam's passion for flying and his obsession with fishing merged in 1984 in a 1946 Champ he outfitted with floats to fly to lakes and cabins for better fishing access. He had a cadre of fishing and flying buddies and aviation mentors. His retirement dream was his airport hangar where he rebuilt a 1943 L-4 Army Cub and a 1946 Chief.

Life followed a seasonal routine. Every summer brought fishing adventures with brothers and buddies. Winter meant tying flies to be ready for fishing. Sam also eagerly anticipated his annual fall moose hunt. Getting away from the day-to-day routine to float a river up north with his hunting buddies was not to be missed, fly fishing gear included of course. When his partners were unable to join him for the hunt one recent year, he chose an alternate location. A surprise success on that hunt led to an epic hitchhike story involving planes, meet-ups, pickups and the ferry to get the meat home.

Sam was a devoted partner to Deb, and they adventured together at home and away for over 40 years. Treasured memories of many Hawaii trips are tucked among lots of other adventures, including family and friends' visits he billed as "hide-a-bed tours" which made great stories.

Sam flew from this world September 22, 2024, after a diagnosis of Glioblastoma Brain Cancer in 2023. He was grateful to return home with his memory intact after surgery at the University of Washington. He declared daily, "We are quite fortunate." Support of family, friends, neighbors, Hospice and caregivers eased our days. We miss his twinkling eyes, playful humor and adventurous spirit.

Sam leaves his wife of 40 years Debera Cokeley, Brothers Fred Capp (Robin), Chris Capp (Louisa), Jim Shoemaker (Lisa), Sister Carol Blevens (Gary), Brother Dylan Gibson (Bev) and Cousins Debbie Robillard (Dennis) and Caroline Shivers (Russ). He was the beloved goof ball uncle to Steven, April, Sila/Nico, Jack, Chris, Doug, Tammy and Ace, and he was an honorary uncle to his cousins' kids too. His twin great niece and great nephew will surely hear some stories about Uncle Sam.

He was preceded in death by his adored "mamas": Betty, Becky and Nola; his dad Bob Capp; brothers David Capp, Randy Gibson and Dana Gibson; and niece Danielle Capp.

No formal services are planned. Sam believed in celebrating every day. Have some fun, go fishing, or, better yet, teach a kid to fish. Please share a good Sam story with us at cappsam4@gmail.com.