Angelo, Samuel Thomas, 97, retired truck driver and dock worker, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2015. Sam was born on October 27, 1917, in Pocomoke City, MD, the son of Edward and Trifania Angelo. As a young man, he worked as a telegraph operator, textile company employee, and road construction crew member. Sam enlisted in the Maryland National Guard in January 1939, and was called to active duty in January 1941. During
World War II, he served as an infantry scout in the U.S.
Army, locating the position of enemy forces and relaying intelligence by field telephone to front line troops during combat. He participated in the Normandy and Rhineland campaigns and was awarded the
Purple Heart. After the war, Sam moved to Wichita, where he worked initially for Rock Island Railroad and later for Boeing, DuPont, Freightways, and Wilson Freight Company. He married Dorothy Edna Caplinger a registered nurse and U.S. Army veteran on February 13, 1951, and together the couple raised four children. Sam was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Midian Shrine Temple Legion of Honor, and a retired Teamster. He served for several years in the Kansas National Guard, as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 614, and as a volunteer election worker. Sam was widely known for his kind and generous heart and unflagging sense of humor. He enjoyed planting trees, growing tomatoes, playing cards and checkers, watching western movies, reading the funny papers, caring for his dogs and cats, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. He also loved traveling with his wife and visiting his large, far-flung circle of family and friends. Sam is survived by his two sons, John Angelo (Lorie) of Dallas, TX, and Robert Angelo (Diane) of Topeka; two daughters, Pamela Amos (Orley) of Stillwater, OK, and Patti Angelo of Wichita; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mildred Angelo and Dora Hudson; and beloved wife, Dorothy. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East in Wichita. A celebration service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, and an interment ceremony will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to , P.O. Box 16061, Wichita, KS 67216; Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 South Market, Wichita, KS 67202; or , P.O. Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631 (
www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org). Tributes may be sent to the family via
www.dlwichita.com
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