Samuel Parker Laughridge

Samuel Parker Laughridge, 74 of Orange City passed away December 22, 2023. Samuel was born September 19, 1949 in North Carolina and worked as a Land Surveyor for Orange County Government.
Samuel "Sam" Parker Laughridge of Orange City, Florida, died on December 22, 2023 at the age of 74.
He was born in North Carolina in 1949 to Frank Laughridge and Margret Raborn. Sam spent the majority of his life as a resident of Orange City. He watched Orange City grow from a one stop light, one constable town to what it has become today. He and his friends spent time at Blue Spring State Park before it was such a thing He and his buddies once placed a giant totem pole at the head of the springs to mark their territory!!!
He attended DeLand High School before serving his country in US Army from 1969-1971 and was a proud Vietnam Veteran.
Sam met the love of his life, Dawn Spencer while she was still in high school. The two fell in love and were excited to start their new lives together, the two were married November 28, 1969, 54 years ago.
Sam and Dawn couldn't wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Their oldest child, Jeremy Laughridge followed in his father's footsteps serving our nation in the US Army and later becoming a land surveyor. Jeremy has been married to his love, Torrie, for 13 years. Sam and Dawn's youngest child, Emily DeVito, also followed in Sam's footsteps marrying her high school sweetheart, John (27 years). She is definitely Sam's daughter as she too is blessed with long red hair.
Although he loved being outside and working with his hands, his classic cars, and his motorcycles, Sam's favorite role was that of a grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandchildren and loved being their Papa. He leaves behind a great legacy in Samuel (27), Andrew (24), and Kenly (19). They will each carry special memories of their Papa with them to last a lifetime.
Sam always had a soft spot for his four legged friends, treating each and every one like the valuable family member they were. To say he LOVED his dogs is an understatement. He REALLY LOVED his dogs Sam had several throughout the years and each wore a bandana of his. You knew which dogs belonged to Sam.
Sam was passionate about his job as a surveyor with Orange County. Working for there for 28 years, retiring in December of 2011.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Laughridge and Margret Raborn and is survived by his wife Dawn Laughridge; brothers, Chris Reynolds and Larry Dees; sister, Shirley Miskovsky; children, Jeremy Laughridge and Emily DeVito; grandchildren, Samuel DeVito, Andrew DeVito, and Kenly Laughridge.
Donations to K9s For Warriors would be greatly appreciated.
K9s For Warriors - Service Dogs for Veterans https://k9sforwarriors.org/about/