Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Samuel J. Ware

FUNERAL HOME

East Lawn Mortuary Greenback

5757 Greenback Lane

Sacramento, California

Samuel Ware Obituary

WARE, Samuel J.
Aug 31, 1943-Sept 24, 2007
Sam passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. He was a proud veteran who retired after 22 years as a helicopter pilot and Squadron Commander in the Marine Corps. His passion for flight and engineering was highlighted as he contributed in the construction of the B2 Stealth Bomber for Northrop Grumman. He returned to Sacramento in 2001 as a Project Manager for Robbins Gioia. Sam married Mary Ann Markley on October 1, 1966 celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary this year. Besides his wife, he is survived by his three daughters, Michelle Grotemeyer (Ben), Melanie Jansen (Conrad) and Marianne and five grandchildren. As well as, his mother Evelyn M. Anderson and his sister Ruth Anne Vickers. The viewing will be on Sunday, September 30, 2007 from 12:00-5:00 at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane Sacramento, CA 95841. The Funeral will be held on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 10:00am at Divine Savior Catholic Church, 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale, CA 95662. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can made in Sam's name to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Sep. 29 to Sep. 30, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Ware

Sponsored by The Purple Foxes of HMM-364.

21 Entries

Lt Colonel Russell Llewellyn

December 25, 2014

Mrs Mary Ware, Lt Colonel Ware was the best Commanding Officer I served under during my career in the Marine Corps! He was the most decorated too, before the time decorations and medals were handed out like raffle tickets as today! A superb pilot and Marine Officer! Miss him already! Semper Fi to you and your family!
Lt Colonel Russell Llewellyn

Ken Wade

November 7, 2007

Mary, It was so sad to hear of Sam's cancer which took him so quickly. Our last memory of him was at the Washington DC '68-69 Fox Reunion when we sat with you a couple of times. It was so funny when Sam did not recognize Marion with her thick glasses on day 2 after she wore her contacts on day 1. He re-introduced himself. Ha! Ha! He was always a gentleman and included everyone. He & I served almost the same dates in HMM 364. He was a good Marine & there is no better compliment. I feel a loss knowing that he is not out there in CA with you & that he will not be at the next reunion (except he will be there in spirit), but I hope that you are. Semper Fi. Ken

Larry Earnest

October 16, 2007

Dear Mary and Family,

I especially am grateful for having known Sam. When people work so close together to achieve something remarkable, like the B2 Stealth Bomber, something wonderful happens. People bond and become like family. Sam took the time to mentor me and helped me understand the realities of working in a large organization and the importance of balancing work and family. I forget which daughter was writing poetry, but he sure beamed when he shared that with me at work.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Walt Huber

October 15, 2007

Dear Mary and Ware family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of our beloved Sam. Sammy was one of the unforgettable characters in B-2 Project Engineering. He helped make sense of a lot of the bureaucracy in those days, and his dry wit and intelligence was a source of motivation for many of us. Whenever I think of the "good old days" at the bomber factory in Pico Rivera, Sam invariably comes to mind. He was definitely one of the good guys. God bless.

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Michael Louie

October 15, 2007

Mary,
Sam is in our thoughts forever and I am reminded of Sam by all the things I still do. Sam lives on! I'm reminded of Sam. Whether its from driving to work based on carpooling with Sam for what seem like a decade, or solving the toughest work problems based on working with Sam on the B2 bomber program for a decade, or playing golf base on taking golf lesson and the countless rounds at El Toro with Sam. We shared a lot of great laughs. He was a great man, husband, father, coworker and friend. The next time I'm at the Fisherman's in San Clemente with the sun setting over the water, I'll have a drink and a toast to both you & Sam knowing the world is a better place for having Sam touched so many of us in a positive way.

Margie Bodnar

October 15, 2007

Mary, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. All my memories of Sam bring a smile to my face. He was my boss for many years at Northrop. I couldn't have asked for a better leader. God Bless.

Leonard Blanton

October 15, 2007

Mary and Family,
As a member of HMH-462 I would like to convey my deepest sympathy for your loss of Sam.
Sincerely,
Leonard Blanton

Stone Baggiano

October 10, 2007

Sam was a great man who loved his family and always put them first. He will be missed!

Stephanie Hanson

October 8, 2007

Sam Ware was the co-pilot of the chase bird during the medevac mission in Vietnam in which my father and 5 other crew members were killed. Sam and the others tried valiantly over and over to get down to my father's bird. I will never forget their bravery and courage.

Meeting Sam some 36 years later was a highlight for me. He was truly one of the best, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and their family.

Semper Fi,
Stephanie

Pat Donovan

October 7, 2007

Mary and Family,

Sam is in our prayers of gratitude for the wonderful Man and Marine he was and still remains as an example of excellence to us all.

Your Marine Family of Purple Foxes

10-07-07
10:43AM

Semper Fidelis

October 3, 2007

Bob Reed

October 3, 2007

Although we know that Sam sits peacefully within the proud company of God and family members gone before him, the loss to those who love and need him most back here in this world is almost unbearable. Sam Ware is a true Man - not some macho image of a man, but a True Man who draws his strength and joy from the family and friends he calls his own, and repays all those around with joy, love, loyalty and strength thricefold. A man who gathers up strays and lifts them towards the light and warmth that exudes from his kind soul. I am proud to be one of those strays, and one he chose to call his brother. Sam, I will see you soon and we can get back to the pranks we so love to pull off.

God Bless the USA

James Farmer

October 2, 2007

I was 6 years old when I first meet Sam. He was always working on his car in his Mom's garage. Being a fastidious mechanic he would never let me in his garage while he was working. I think that he was worried that something might become missing after I had left. He was a kind man to our family and he will be missed. During the war other kids would say bad things about the Soldiers in Vietnam. I would always tell them Sam would never do that. And to this day I know he was a solider held in the highest regard by his peers and by myself. I am proud to have known Sam.

W.A. "Tony" Alfalla

October 2, 2007

To Mary and Family,

Sam will be greatly missed by his extended US Marines and Sikorsky Aircraft family. Our prayers are with "Sam" and his loved ones.

Semper Fi LtCol Sam Ware

Jack (The Rock) Glowen

October 2, 2007

Mary and Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Col Ware. He was one of the first people I met when I joined HMH-462 back in early 1980. I have many fond memories of flying with him when I was a young nugget and running Hash House runs on Okinawa when he was the AMO and later the XO of the squadron. He was a great leader and a true Marine. He will be greatly missed.

Jo Lyn Iverson Widow of Logan Iverson

September 30, 2007

Mary - my sympathies are with you, but I am at peace knowing my beloved Logan is enjoying sharing many stories from the 462 days with his very good friend. Semper Fi and God Bless.

John Rudzis

September 30, 2007

Mary Ann, I'm very sorry for your loss. Sam was a respected leader and a pleasure to serve with in '462. He will be sorely missed.
Semper Fi,

Dick & Marty Crawford

September 30, 2007

I had the great privilege to be in the same squadron (HMH 363) with Sam at the MCAF Tustin, Ca. Sam was always blessed as a remarkable Marine officer and pilot who was highly respected by all his squadron mates. A great Marine with a superb bride and loving family.
Fair winds & following seas my Marine friend,

ileane hamlin

September 30, 2007

Dear Mary and Family -- We send our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. May God Bless you all. Sam was such a gentleman -- one of a kind. We know how much your father John and my mother, Catherine, loved and admired him. May the Angels watch over you.

Sincerely - Ileane and Jack Hamlin

Mark Medvetz

September 29, 2007

Rest in peace, Sam.
A pleasure to serve and fly with you at HMH-462.

Eric Brown

September 29, 2007

Sam was Executive Officer of HMH-462 when I was assigned to the squadron in March of 1982. At the time, the squadron was on a rotation in Okinawa. Sam was a gentle man and a good leader. I recall that upon his return to MCAS Tustin, he was promoted to Lt. Col. and was assigned as the Commanding Officer of HMH-465, then the first squadron in the Marine Corps with CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters. Until I read the obituary in the local newspaper, I was unaware that he lived in my back yard. God bless you Sam, and God bless your family.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results