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BORN
1944
DIED
2023
Sam McGough Obituary
Samuel Edward McGough of Kalispell, MT passed away peacefully at home on December 21,2023. Sam was born on December 5th, 1944 in Kansas, Alabama; but his mother and four siblings moved to Phoenix, AZ when he was ten years old. He graduated from Mesa High School in 1963, where he was a track and field state record holder for the mile, which earned him a spot on the Mesa Arizona Hall of Fame, which he held the record for many years. He married Donna J McGough on June 30,1965. He was a skilled heavy equipment operator which later led him to develop an Adobe block machine that turned mud into bricks under high pressure; along with an onsite concrete machine he used to build homes for people in need. Sam even invented a furnace, which was the first of it is time to incorporate an electric fan to distribute the heat, clearly, he was a talented engineer. After gaining experience at a gold mine, Sam became an entrepreneur in the jewelry business, creating Tomahawk Trading Company, where he had multiple factories and multiple jewelry stores. In 1980 Sam and Donna bought a cabin and property in Whitefish, MT and moved to Whitefish fulltime in 1986 with their family. Sam and Donna opened Tomahawk Trading Company in the Flathead Valley, now known as McGough & Co, and retired after over 30 years and kept the store in the family. Sam never met a stranger and was the king of greeting you with a "one liner." He had the biggest heart and was always eager and happy to help everyone. He will be greatly missed, but his love, kindness, and humor will live on through his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Donna McGough, his daughters, and his grandchildren. His services will be held at Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell on Friday, December 29th at 12:30 pm. Please join us to celebrate the life of this amazing man!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Sam McGough's name as he felt very strongly about this organization.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sam McGough
Chester Yancy
August 29, 2024
Well Sam, you will be remembered as a trusted friend. May you rest in peace. We have known each other since junior high school in Mesa, AZ. And remember you was a miler in school and a rock and roll fan way back then. Miss you Man.
Vonnie
January 2, 2024
So sorry for your loss.
Dara Marie Barrett
January 2, 2024
So sorry to hear of Sam's passing; much love to Donna, Stacey, and family. He'll always be known at work for his quarters!
Veronica Lamoureux
January 1, 2024
So sorry to hear of Sam´s passing. I´m sure he will be missed by many. I will pray for him and his family. God bless you all.
Roni Lamoureux
Toby Allan
December 30, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Sam's passing. Donna, my condolences to you and your family.
carol and Tom
December 30, 2023
We loved Sam and family. He was always so good to us and his one liners were real zingers. I can't find the words to truly express our sorrow over the loss of such a great and loving man. My heart goes out to Donna, Stacy and family. God bless, Carol and Tom
Doris Rasmussen
December 30, 2023
Sam was. Father for me and my sisters
We always love him and will see him again
Love Doris Rasmussen
Dennis Lewin
December 30, 2023
We´re so sorry for your family´s loss.
Sincerely,
Kim and Dennis Lewin
Lynn & Martin Biegelman
December 29, 2023
From the moment we met Sam, he welcomed us warmly into the family. Those feelings never changed. He will be missed. We send our deepest sympathies and love to all of you.
December 28, 2023
Dear Donna & Family
I am deeply saddened to read of Sam’s recent passing. He was indeed all of the good things written about him and much more to those of us fortunate enough to call him a friend.
After we moved from MT, a great mistake, Lucee and I often reminisced about the wonderful times the four of us enjoyed with a special note for the week in New Orleans.
Please do as I will do and remember Sam for all the great memories he bestowed on all who knew him
Dick Wallace
Hendersonville, NC
Craig Smith
December 28, 2023
My condolences to the McGough family.
Sam was a gentle, soft spoken gentleman.
I first met Sam in McGough & Co. soon after I spoke with him at my place of employment Total Label.
Sam was instrumental in helping build the roadway into our new facility 20 years ago. Sam always had a smile. That is the picture of Sam always in my mind.
Rachel Montaño Corrales
December 27, 2023
Donna,Stacie and family I´m so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolence's to you and the family. You´re in my thoughts and prayers. Ernie also sends his deepest condolences to you Donna, Staci and the family your in his thoughts and prayers. May Sam rest in peace.
Gina Acierno (Biegelman)
December 27, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and sending love.
Michele Senner
December 27, 2023
My heart is so truly saddened by Sam´s passing. He hired me at Tomohawk Trading with no experience in the jewelry industry, but taught me many things!! I still have all the jewelry I bought from him! Such a wonderful man!! I am praying for Stacey, Donna and the whole family!! May you Rest in Peace Sam!! You were a truly wonderful man!!
Damon Desjarlais
December 27, 2023
Sorry for your loss my prayers are with you guys!
Sandy Shaffer..Kalispell
December 27, 2023
Donna .. I am so Sad for you and your Family this is tough to deal with Our Prayers are with you....it has been a lifetime of great days and wonderful memories hold on to those Donna You are blessed to have a great family who can help You will be with Sam Again
Sandy Raymond
December 27, 2023
Sam you will always be remembered in my family as you always brought goodness and kindness and joy when you were around. Your sense of humor will be greatly missed as will seeing that smile on your face. Rest in Peace dear friend, until we meet again in our Lord´s House. Viya con Dios.
Tom mc Gough
December 27, 2023
Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Michelle Stephen-Mouaikel
December 27, 2023
Donna & Family,
I´m so sorry for your loss. My parents, William and Sally Stephen, knew Sam from high school and mentioned what a great man he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless. Michelle Stephen-Mouaikel
Scott McGough
December 27, 2023
Many blessings to Donna and family during this difficult time. Uncle Sam was someone I looked up to and he will be missed by so many.
Margaret Biegelman
December 27, 2023
So very sorry for your loss. My condolences are with you and your family during this difficult time
Tom Bayless
December 27, 2023
Truly a one of a kind person and a good friend. I loved our adventures together. Miss you buddy.
Sunny Aiya
December 27, 2023
So sorry to loose my friend and so sorry for your loss Donna and Stacey
He was a wonderful man, a friend but more than all- a great soul that would put a smile on anyone. His smile made the heart warm and sure he greatly missed
Linda Ray
December 27, 2023
Sam was a favorite memorable and favorite diner at WLR... always promising us the infamous quarter tip... every time I randomly ran into Sam around town he always asked how my husband Randy was doing... he was definitely one of the well-known "characters" around town... he will be missed.. our condolences Randy & Linda Ray
Chuck Dooley
December 27, 2023
Remembering Sam from the first time we met on Star Meadows back in 2000 I thought I recognize this guy from somewhere.. couldn´t think where.. I was just getting started on the foundation of our log home, shortly after I got to see Sam and Donna´s log home just a mile up the road. We were going to be friends from that day on.
Years passed, as I met his Family and friends and he met some of mine, then some one said, that guy looks like Kenny Rogers... then it all came back to me the day we first met.. we had a good laugh together and then Sam said he was better looking.. yes in true Sam fashion .. never missed an opportunity to make you smile. Time passes and I met my wife here in whitefish and yes Sam helped me pick out an engagement ring for her.. he said it was his specialty ya know. So Jodi and I were hosted by Sam and Donna at their beautiful place for our wedding. We all had a great time and even had our reception there late that night because a bear closed our venue for that evening elsewhere .
Sam seemed to have a hand in making memories for all that he met, I am sure he will be missed by more of those people that we will ever know,
Untill we meet again my friend.
Sincerely , Chuck Dooley
Bob Chambers
December 27, 2023
There are few people I will remember as fondly as Sam. He was always ready with his one-liners, big grin, and genuinely friendly manner. Truly a one-of-a-kind person with a huge heart. I will miss him.
Cindy Beaugureau
December 27, 2023
Donna, I´m so very sorry and sending my love and condolences to you snd your family. Sam worked with my Husband Bob Beaugureau at Hunter Ditch Lining in the early 70´s in Gilbert. I remember being at your home and having such a great time! Bob passed away in April of 2020. Sam was such a great guy! Hugs and Love to you! Cindy Beaugureau
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
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