Charles "Sam" Samuel Lei, age 88 of Ashland, MT, quietly passed away at the Powder River Manor on Thursday, March 29, 2012.
Sam was born on August 21, 1923 in Miles City, MT to John and Oral Lei. He grew up on the family ranch on Cache Creek in the southeastern Montana community of Sonnette. When Sam heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Jason and the USS Blackhawk. Sam was always proud of his service time.
He married his beloved Joyce Fletcher of Otter Creek on April 18, 1953. Together they lived and raised their family on Otter Creek. Sam was employed with the U.S. Forest Service in the Custer National Forest, where he retired after 30 years of service. He then worked for Powder River County as a blade operator until his final retirement in 1995. Sam volunteered his time at the Powder River Museum until the fall of 2010.
Sam was a lifetime member of the Masons receiving his 50 year pin in 2010. He loved to hunt & fish with family and friends and enjoyed many special Sunday dinners with Gladys & Dick Fletcher on Otter Creek. During retirement Sam spent many hours reading on the rich history of the local areas and it has been said by some that "There isn´t a rock in Powder River County that Sam hasn´t touched."
Sam was preceded in death by his wife Joyce; sister Clara, and grandson Percy Robinson. He is survived by his brother, Jim and wife Jeannette Lei of Taylor Creek, a sister Ann and husband Bill Gamble of Miles City; a son Charlie Lei of Rosebud Creek and a daughter Mary Jane and her husband Ernie Robinson of Ashland, MT, 4 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation time has been set 1 -3 p.m., Sunday April 1, 2012 at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Chapel in Miles City. Funeral Services will be held Monday April 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus with interment to follow in the family lot of Valley View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Heritage Living Center at 5982 Tongue River Rd, Ashland, MT 59003, or the Powder River Historical Museum at Broadus, MT. Sam´s family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Living Center of Ashland for their support & care of Sam during his stay at the facility.
Mary Lou Richardson Keeating says
So sorry to see of Sam’s passing. All of the Lei family are in my thoughts and prayers. This has been a very long frienship. I think often of the good times at Sonnette, MT Mary Lou
Pat Smith says
Sam was a very wonderful person and will be missed by his family and many many friends. May he sleep in peace. Love pat
Roy & Ardith Rost says
We were very sorry to hear about the death of Sam. Our hearts go out to his family and the entire Lei family. Roy & Ardith
Andrita Harris says
Sam
will be missed , he is in the arms of the LOVE of his life Joyce. He has to great kids and Grandkids
S Ford says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that God will comfort and sustain you. Psalms 34:18 says that He is near to those broken at heart and saves those crushed in spirit. He truly knows the pain you feel. He assures us at John 5:28 that a time will soon come when we will welcome back to our arms those we have lost. Know that time is very near. Allow God to comfort your soul until that day arrives. Please keep His promises close to your heart. I offer my deepest sympathies to your entire family.
Rosa & Don Neese says
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of thr Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
Warm thoughts arewith you and un the days to come.
Sincere Sympathy Rosa & Don Neese Family
Debbie & Duane Talcott says
When our Lord calls a loved one home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Elizabeth Jean Hanic says
My prayers and love are sent to the family.
Mary Jane I want to thank you for sharing your father with me in his later years, I have treasured the birdhouses, and little shelves and boxes he has given me. I enjoyed the stories he would share with me. Most of all I thank him for his daughter, he gave me you, a lifelong best friend. Love Jeanie
Myra Fisher says
I’m very honored to have know such a gentlemen, as Sam was just that. I will miss him & the oral history lessons.. So long Sam my good friend,I’ll see you again one fine day. My respect, and condolences to the family.
Myra Fisher and Family
R. "Butch" Gregory says
Charlie,
I am so sorry to hear of your father. I remember you talking of him often. May God be with you and your family during this time.
I think of you often..take care, Butch
Tim and Linda Sevig says
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Mary Jane. We have been thinking of you and know you are remembering many good memories.
Carla & Jay Johnson says
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad. Our prayers are with you.
Mike & Kristi Speelman says
Our Deepest sympathy Will keep the family in our Prayers.
Gaylene & Tim Fortner says
Our thoughts and prayers for the family of Sam. He was a very special friend of my parents, I have fun memories of Sam and Joyce while I was growing up. He will be missed.
Lisa and Roger Gaskill says
Thinking of you and your family and sending many prayers. Sam was a wonderful man, as you all know.
Tia Ann Fighting Bear says
I will miss you Sam…Our afternoon coffee sessions I will miss……thanks for letting me be apart of taking care of you. I will always keep you in my heart forever Sam.
Curt and Cathy Fleming says
Sam will be greatly missed. I worked with Sam for many years at the ranger station and was pleased to plan his first retirement party. We had a lot of fun throughout our years. He always was there if you needed help. After moving from Ashland, we didn’t see him as often but always enjoyed our visits. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
Ronda Gress says
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Ronda
Butch & Kelly Perry says
Sam will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His wonderful sense of humor and caring ways are a rare commodity RIP Sam.
Lori Melotz says
Mary Jane and Charlie, So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Alan and Lori Clark
Wayne Wetherelt Jr. & Serena Brady says
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family of Sam Lei. Sam was a good guy. I will always treasure the time spent visiting with Sam and Joyce at their home outside Ashland. After leaving the area a few years ago I haven’t visited much with Sam but did get a good visit in last fall at the Heritage Center. His stories and history of the area was always enjoyable to listen to. May your memories give you comfort in the days ahead.
v. thompson says
May the family of Sam Lei find comfort in your loving memories, and in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34:18) While grief at the loss of Sam is great, joy at receiving him back in the resurrection will be greater. (Mark 5:42) With deepest sympathy,
Bob and Diane Bogner says
We are deeply sorry to hear of Charles’ passing away. He was always a kind man, who will be remembered for this, and certainly made time for talking to, and /or including our son, Kyle, with many words of witt and wisdom. May you all be blessed with God guiding you through the coming days.