Samuel Denyer

Samuel Denyer died peacefully on November 8, 2017 at his home in Kirkland, WA at the age of 95.  Sam is survived by Nadine, his wife of 73 years, daughters Patricia King of Cordova, Tennessee and Louise Bartels of Kirkland, grandsons Jeffrey Abernathy, Brandon Bartels and Jeremy Bartels, granddaughter Jill Henderson, 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.  He is also survived by two brothers, living in Oklahoma.

Sam grew up with 3 brothers in Drumright, Oklahoma, a booming oil town.  He was an Eagle Scout.  His first summer jobs were in the oil fields and he bought his first cow while in high school.  The milk cow was kept in a small lot not far from his house, and Sam made enough money selling milk to buy his Mother her first refrigerator.  He met Nadine at Drumright High School.  They were married May 5, 1943 in Pensacola Florida, where Sam was in flight school training in the SNJ “Texan”.

Sam served in the United State Marine Corps as a pilot, flying the Corsair, Douglas Dauntless, R4D transport, and Kaman helicopter.  He served in WWII and Korea, evacuating wounded soldiers and twice receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, with more than 1000 carrier landings.

After retirement from the Marine Corps, Sam was a technical writer for the Bell Helicopter division of Textron, residing in Bedford, Texas.  While living in Texas, he started his herd of Limousin cattle.  He also worked in the evenings for American Breeders Service.  In 1980, Sam and Nadine moved to their acreage in Oakville Washington, bringing their Limousin herd with them.  They enjoyed many years as part of the Washington Cattlemens Association, and made many friends in the Oakville community.

Interment will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday, December 8 at 11am.  A luncheon and celebration of Sam’s life will be held at the Oakville Methodist Church on Saturday, December 9 at noon.  Please do not send flowers.