Samuel Veal

Samuel Wilkerson Veal, 64, Hoyt, KS, passed away Tues., July 2, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 15, 1943, at Portersdale, GA, the son of Billie and LaFaton Wilkerson Veal.

He received his high school diploma from Henry County High School, McDonough, GA, in 1962, while serving in the US Air Force. He served in The US Air Force from 1961 to 1969, including several tours in Vietnam.

Prior to the Air Force he farmed at McDonough, GA, and was a produciton worker at Oxford Mfg Co. in Covington, GA.

After the Air Force he made his home in Kansas, where he married Kay Henderson of Auburn. They later divorced. He married Marsha Kern Kelley on August 8,1986, in Olathe. He worked at Goodyear, DelMonte, and Payless Shoe, prior to founding Yosemity Sam's Auto Repair, still in operation.

His favorite pastimes were drag racing a 1978 Ford truck and collecting NASCAR and Yosemite Sam memorabilia. Sam was always known for his sense of humor, his handlebar mustache, and his love of family.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, James Michael Veal.

In addition to his wife he is survived by children, Richard Veal and wife, Eileen, Topeka, Stephanie Jensen and husband, Kevin, Hoyt, Lance Kelley and wife, Erin, Hoyt, Angela Kraus and husband, Roger, Tonganoxie; numerous grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; his mother: LaFaton, Covington, GA; four sisters: Billie Hardy, Conyers, GA, Janie Garner, Stone Mountain, GA, Ann Collins, Snellville, GA, and Madalyn Elliott, McDonough, GA; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be Monday, July 7, 4:00PM, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, Topeka. Following services friends and family are invited to Schneider's Cabin at Gage Park for food and visitation. Burial will be at Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Covington, GA. Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Road, Topeka, KS 66617.