Sam A. Michel

Sammy Andrew Michel, age 78, of Cave Junction, Oregon, died August 5, 2019 in Medford.

Sammy Andrew Michel was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on February 21st 1941, to Peter Andrew Michel and Eleanor Maxine Harriott. He graduated as a senior. He worked hard to earn everything he has ever had! His first job was at Redondo Beach Bowling Alley where he individually set up pins making a total of 1 penny per pin he restacked. He also worked at a nursery where he made and delivered concrete walking stones with pebbles in them. In 1959, Sammy joined the U.S. Navy where he did fireman training and boiler trade training and spent the rest of his time on the Leonard F. Manson, DD-852, as a boiler tender until 1963. He stayed in Santa Barbara, California after his service, till 1964, and found work installing flooring. In the same year he was on a journey to find his Dad which brought him to Oregon, where he fell in love with the city of Cave Junction, got a job at Kaybax Saw Mill, and then brought the love of his life Hilma Jean Michel and her children including Duke Jackson, from California to Oregon with him. Sam and Hilma married in 1968 and had one daughter. In 1978 Sam started his own business called Sam Michel Excavating, which he proudly served the Valley for thirty years.

He was a member of the Eagles since 1992, Elks since 2000, and the Lions. He volunteered for Cave Junction Jubilee Park Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Labor Day Announcer and Organizer with the Lions Club; Illinois Valley Fire Department; Search and Rescue; Thanksgiving Dinners at the homeless shelters; and distributed medical equipment to those in need.

Sam enjoyed his jeeping days in his land cruiser, alongside his beautiful wife Hilma and friends. He also enjoyed hunting for buffalo, elk, and deer, and if he wasn’t fishing in the Illinois River in his Glen Woolridge Sled, he spent time in the deep seas catching cod and halibut, venturing as far as Mexico to catch the freshest fish. He loved to sing karaoke and dance the night away with his wife, as well as relaxing and camping spending time with his family.

He became a Grandpa in 1995 to twins Kerissa and Venessa D’Arpino, and again in 2001 to Cory D’Arpino.

Sam enjoyed life, taking care of others with many acts of kindness going unforeseen but never asking for anything in return. He loved spoiling those around him and those he loved. Today the first car he bought with his own money in 1964, a Bonneville, is being restored. Unfortunately, he will not be here with us to see it finished; however, his grandson will make memories in his honor. Sammy Michel, thank you for being our hero here on earth.

Sam is survived by daughter Sherry D’Arpino and step-son Duke Jackson; and grandchildren Kerissa D’Arpino, Venessa D’Arpino and Cory D’Arpino.

He was preceded in death by wife Hilma Michel, his mother Eleanor Maxine Tresham, and his stepfather Roland Tresham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Elk Eye Center.

A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m., August 9, 2019 at Laurel Cemetery in Cave Junction