Sam McKeehan

Samuel (Sam) Aloysius McKeehan, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2026.

Sam was born in Walsenburg, Colorado, to Vernon and Josephine M. McKeehan. He grew up as one of ten children, with six brothers and three sisters: Bernard, Floyd, Marlene, William, John, Dorothy, Lillian, Ronald, and David. When Sam was two years old, the family relocated to Los Angeles, where he was raised.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1957, Sam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1957 to 1962 as a Motor Transport Operator (Heavy Truck Driver) and mechanic. During his service, he completed a brief deployment to Lebanon in 1958. Following his active-duty commitment, he moved his family from downtown Los Angeles to Highland Park, California, in 1959.

Sam later worked for the Herald Examiner as a delivery driver for several years. In 1963, he met Joan V. Costigan, and they were married on September 18, 1965. During this time, while raising their growing family-including the birth of their son Samuel V. and while Joan was pregnant with their daughter Bernadette-they both participated in labor strikes, which ultimately resulted in the closure of the office where they worked.

Sam went on to work for several major freight companies over the next 36 years and retired from the Teamsters Union in 2000.

As their family expanded, Sam and Joan moved from Highland Park to Hacienda Heights, California, following Bernadette's birth. After the arrival of their sons Michael and Frank, they relocated to Upland, California, in 1977, seeking a larger home and greater opportunities for their children. Sam lived in Upland until his retirement. In 2000, they sold their Upland home and moved to Tehachapi, California, where they had purchased a home two years earlier. Sam remained in Tehachapi until his passing.

Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Joan, in 2020, and by his son Michael in 2023.

He is survived by his children, Samuel V., Bernadette, and Frank; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by five siblings: Marlene, John, Dorothy, Lillian, and David.

Funeral services were officiated by Father Gregory Beaumont of Saint Malachy Catholic Church on February 13, 2026. Interment followed at Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin, California.