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BORN
2000
DIED
2024
Samuel Weyrich Obituary
2000 - 2024
Oklahoma City, OK-Bursting into the world in record speed on July 13, 2000, Sam the "I Can Man" lived every single moment of his life to the absolute fullest with zeal, delight, and determination. An inspiration to all who knew him, he was eager to try anything despite the challenges he had living with Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome (AGS), a rare demyelinating disease.
His love for adventure brought him trackside at the Kentucky Derby, riding the rapids down the Grand Canyon, tailgating and attending college football games, shredding snow and ziplining in Utah, catching perch on Lake Erie, canoeing the rivers near Yellowstone, exploring the streets of Paris, and playing beach golf in Hawaii, He adored riding horses, swimming, being with his dog - Baby G, dancing, parties, music, and musicals (especially when his sister was performing). More than anything, he loved spending time with family and friends.
Although he didn't speak in the traditional sense, he spoke loud and clear with his eyes, smile, and big heart. You absolutely knew it and will never forget when you connected with Sam! Sam's Super Power was that he brought out the BEST in everyone.
Sam is survived by his parents, Amy and Andy Weyrich, his sister, Sarah Weyrich, his grandmother, Kay Weyrich, his beloved service dog, Baby G, a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and the many friends he considered his family in Utah, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
In honor of Sam, please consider giving a donation to the National Ability Center (www.discovernac.org), Canine Companions for Independence (www.canine.org), or a tribute gift in Sam's name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to amplify clinical care and biomedical research (www.OMRF.org). Most importantly, please take time to make the most of every moment, smile often, and laugh vigorously as Sam did. And, never pass the chance to talk to and spend time with individuals who are differently challenged. Like Sam, they have super powers.
We invite you to join us for a celebration of Sam's extraordinary life on Friday, June 28 at 11:00 am St. Luke's Methodist Church 222 NW 15th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73103. The service will be livestreamed, https://stlukesokc.org/online-campus/watch-live/
Please wear bright colors to honor the bright life Sam was to us all!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Weyrich
Denise Dearing
September 21, 2024
Dear Andy, Amy, and Sarah, so very sorry to hear about Sam´s passing. No words can fill the hole he´s left in your life, hope you find comfort with his memories. Deepest condolences,Denise & Michael
Bob and Linda Lux
June 29, 2024
Dear Amy and Andy, We were saddened to learn of Tim's passing, Your words express the beautiful gifts of love that you gave him and that he gave to you and all who met him during his too short time with you. May you and your family find solace, comfort and joy in celebrating his life as the memories awaken and surround you. With deepest condolences, Bob & Linda
Katie Haslam
June 28, 2024
Andy and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your Park Building family are thinking about you, and praying for you.
Miss Joni
June 28, 2024
Sam has permeated my thoughts and heart since the first time I met him. Even though years passed his vigor for life surfaced in my thoughts just yesterday. We are all better because we knew and loved him and now can follow his example of finding the joy and adventure in our lives. Thank you for sharing Sam with all of us.
Natlaie Tippets
June 28, 2024
Dear Andy, Amy, Sarah and Baby G,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful and inspiring legacy Sam has given to all of us. Sending you love and sympathy as this tender time.
Terri coppa
June 28, 2024
I loved it when he wasn´t expecting to see me at the school he would get super happy I have a little mini Sam that I transport now he is a tiny Sam and they were able to meet and they both just laughed together.
Justin olson
June 28, 2024
Or shared once, but I must say sam is or was very inspiring. The kid was always on the go make a smile last forever because you never know what it´s gonna be the last one the one that I can guarantee you is is looking upon us this day and forever more, he will live in his family`s hearts. He will be part of the forever 22. I would hope Kyle Willingham would make that happen for him because every every University, Utah fan new new Sam it wasn´t a game without saying hi to sam it wasn´t a game without saying goodbye to sam we will always love you. Rest in peace buddy.
Luke Campbell
June 28, 2024
I had the honor of working with Sam for a few years in the public school and privately. Sam had the best smile and most contagious laugh, you knew how Sam was feeling by reading his body language. thank you for all the life lessons Sam. I learned far more from you than you had learned from me. Andy, Amy and Sarah I am very sorry for the loss of Sam
Jim and Lou Morris
June 28, 2024
Sam was a wonderful young man. He loved life. Sam had a fabulous family that gave him their total support. He also loved horses. Anything that had to do with horses was something Sam wanted to be involved with. He had an infectious smile, and a wonderful way of communicating with you Through his eyes. Sam will be dearly missed by all of us.
Anne Zimmerman
June 27, 2024
These tributes are beautiful and make me feel such waves of emotion.
Thank you for being such a bright light, Sam! Look at how happy you made the people around you - what an amazing gift to offer the world.
Sending love - Anne, Sean, Vera, Leon & Guy
Jim ONeill and Don Miller
June 27, 2024
That smile of Sam´s seems to be a common thread with anyone we knew who knew him. It was a joy to be involved helping skiing or in the NAC equestrian program. Don and I helped as a team and Amy would say Sam would smile when he heard us coming to help with his weekly session. We would play games with him on horseback, sing silly songs that would make him smile.
Yes, he taught us a lot. I think because of Sam for the rest of our lives we will always be more engaging with people with whatever kind of challenge they are dealing with.
Thanks to Amy and Andy always entrusting us to volunteer with their precious son.
Sarah was amazing presence then and surely for the rest of Sam´s life. What a loving, caring family!
God bless and yes, Sam is free at last.
Our sincerest sympathy,
Jim and Don
Liz Cairo-Eagan
June 27, 2024
Oh Sam, I am saddened and yet I know that you are bringing joy and love wherever you are. I had no idea you had moved to Oklahoma. I have missed you so much and loved every minute we spent in the water doing hydrotherapy- it was a magic time. I love you very much and my wish for your family is that they continue to celebrate you and your love and continue to take you with them wherever they may venture...love you little man!!!
Meara McClenahan
June 27, 2024
Meara McClenahan
June 27, 2024
Peter Gross
June 27, 2024
Andy, Amy and family. Celebrate Sam and look after yourselves. The world is better with the love your family has. My thought are with you. Peter Gross
Stacia Sidlow
June 27, 2024
I don't know Sam but I had to say something upon seeing his photo and reading his obituary. I can feel his energy and exuberance for life. It is palpabale. What an amazing human being. My mother, Anne Riordan, was a dance professor at the UofU and a pioneer in dance for special populations so I have some familiarity. She had a dance company called Sunrise and Sunrise Wheels. They traveled all over the state and country to perform. I was lucky enough to watch her students bring out the best in everyone they met. It was magic. Sam reminds me very much of some of my mother's students. How lucky you all were to have him in your life. Sending much love from a stranger.
Polly, Dale, and Ryan Chapman
June 25, 2024
Our family sends love and condolences. Sam opened doors for others with different abilities. We were honored to follow along behind him in school and see what was possible.
Thank you Sam! Thank you Sam's exceptional family!
Rep. Christine Johnson.
June 25, 2024
What an extraordinary example of exuberance for life Sam was to everyone who had the great pleasure of knowing him. Safe passage to Sam, and a warm and sincere hug to Amy and the entire family.
Claudia and Pete Marshall
June 25, 2024
Sam, thank you for making this world a better place. Thank you for showing us the meaning of the words resilience and bravery. Your smile will be forever in my memories. You will be deeply missed.
Emilee Jacoby
June 25, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss. Sam is going to be missed dearly. He had a way of making us smile whenever we got to see him over all of these years that our kids went to school together. We´re grateful to have known such a special & dear soul.
Sending love,
Sallie Hart´s family
Kathy Hill
June 25, 2024
Sam was truly the best of all of us! He did light up every room and so smart. Go Utes!
Stacey Lloyd
June 25, 2024
Stacey Lloyd
June 25, 2024
Stacey Lloyd
June 25, 2024
Sam will live on in our hearts.
Carlene Faucher
June 25, 2024
So so sorry to hear this. Annie and I remember Sam so well. My love and prayers to all the family.
April Olson
June 25, 2024
When I saw Sam´s obituary I was stunned. I had to sit for sometime shedding copious amounts of tears. Tears of sadness and joy. Sadness in the world´s loss of a wonderful human being. Sadness in Sam´s journey ending, he loved life, loved people and adventure. Sadness for his loving family´s deep loss.
There were thoughts of joy too, Sam filled the world with joy to any who interacted with him. My memories are full of joy and laughter. I worked with Sam as a teacher and later a caregiver. As a teacher in Sam´s life, I learned far more from Sam than he me. As a teacher we taught communication, reading, math, science, physical therapy. Sam taught me life long skills, compassion, acceptance, patience, non-verbal communication. How to interact with non-speaking people and to slow down, enjoy small things. Mostly Sam taught me to laugh, truly laugh in all situations. Sometimes we would be laughing so hard I would have tears streaming down my face, which made my nose run, requiring tissues and nose blowing, which Sam thought was even funnier. As Sam got older, he liked to flirt with all of Sarah´s girlfriends. Many of her friends were wonderful and would interact with Sam. I use to tease him about his ears turning red when he was embarrassed with the attention. I am sure there are others who had Sam as a teacher and know what I am talking about.
As Sam´s caregiver we had many good times together. The National Ability Center, horse riding, bowling, the aviary, zoo and mostly the aquarium. Sam loved the aquarium. He wanted to be in crowds of people, watching people, sitting under the tanks of water and fish. He really liked the penguins and would laugh at their antics. He could spend the entire day there and was always sad when we left.
Sam was a wonderful ambassador, teaching peers and adults inclusion of less able people. His participation in activities was an example of possibilities not limitations. Many who worked with him saw so much was possible with some adaptation. His personality and willingness to try so many challenging tasks led the way for opportunities for others in many activities.
Sam made a difference in the world for good. His smile and laugh will be missed. Sam, thank you for teaching me, and Andy and Amy for giving me the opportunity of working with Sam and sharing in his life. My thoughts and wish are with you, Andy, Amy, Sarah, Kay, Miss G along with all family and friends in Sam´s. We love you, Sam!
April Olson
Janine Murphy
June 25, 2024
Andy, Amy, Sarah and Baby G, my heart aches for you. Sam was a bright star that will continue to shine and a constant reminder to enjoy every moment of every day. Sending light and love.
Sonita
June 25, 2024
Our hearts go out to Amy, Andy, and Sarah. Sam was the coolest person and lit up every room he was in. We hope you find comfort in all the beautiful memories you've made with Sam.
-Sonita, Kevin, and Bennett
Kirstin Shannon
June 25, 2024
Sam was an absolute miracle who had an infectious smile that always lit up the room.The gentlest and happiest soul I have ever known. Sam was THE MAN who lived life to complete fullness. He will always be missed but will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. Sending you all so much love, prayers and support.
Maggie Margiotta Melson
June 25, 2024
Sam was an Angel on earth. He taught many important lessons to those who met him, knew him, and loved him. Amy, Andy, and Sarah enjoyed adventures with Sam. He is missed yet his impact lasts forever. My prayers are with each of you. With love and faith, Maggie Margiotta Melson
Justin olson
June 25, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jane Wigdahl and family
June 24, 2024
Our hearts are with you. Sam was the best of the best and made the world a better place. We have been so lucky to have him in it, and to have known him. We are thinking of you and sending love and prayers your way. ~ Jane, Matt, Chloe and Heidi
Deb Elstad
June 24, 2024
That is the perfectly described portrait of Sam. He knew how to create the especially special bond.
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