Robert (Amos) P. Samuels Sr., a Nez Perce tribal elder, passed away early Saturday morning, Jan. 3, 2015, with his family by his side. He was 80 years old. He was born Oct. 16, 1934, in the Corbett family brick house at Kamiah, the fifth child of Joseph and Pauline Corbett Samuels.
He was raised in Ahsahka, where he spent his early years attending elementary school and graduated from nearby Orofino High School in 1952. He was an avid sportsman and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. His favorite teams were the 49ers and Blazers, and he would not miss their games.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation and had an honorable discharge in 1955. He was working for Twin Feathers Mill when he married Vera (Bonnie) Miller on Feb. 14, 1958, at Ahsahka Northfork Church. They welcomed a son, Robert Jr., in 1960, and added a daughter, Dawn, and later another son, Melvin. The young family lived at the ranch on Cavendish Grade in Ahsahka while Amos worked at the fish hatchery and then Dworshak Dam. Although they later divorced, he was always a welcome addition to any family gathering and was a favorite among his numerous nieces and nephews.
After traveling the local areas for work, he met and married Lupe Garcia. They were soon joined by a son, Daniel, in 1972. He also gained additional family members who regarded him as a great stepdad and grandpa. He appreciated and loved them all in return. The family moved around the state before relocating to Warm Springs, Ore., in 1980. He began working for Warm Springs Forest Products and remained there until his retirement in January 2000. In addition, he was well-respected and loved by the Warm Springs community. Although it took seven hours, he would often travel home to attend family gatherings and other special events, while always making time for a nice hot sweat, attending First Church and occasionally making it to Talmaks Church Camp in late June. Upon his retirement, Amos and Lupe enjoyed attending tribal senior trips and their senior exercise programs. They were able to travel throughout the Northwest, meeting old friends and making new ones. His favorite times were spent with family and watching his grandchildren grow up. They were the apple of his eye.
Amos was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Charlotte (Bunky) Radon and Joanne Jose; younger brother Paul (Sutt) Samuels; and grandson Larry (Sonny) Greene III.
Survivors include his wife, Lupe Samuels of Warm Springs, Ore.; children Robert and Cheryl Samuels of Lapwai, Dawn and Robert Johnson of Lapwai, Melvin Samuels of Sanford, Maine, Daniel and Cassandra Samuels of Metolius, Ore.; stepchildren Walter (Spud) and Elina Langnese of Warm Springs, Ore., Roxanne Chinook of Bellingham, Wash., and Pamela Louis of Warm Springs, Ore.; 18 grandchildren, Lucy, Joseph, Katherine and Steven Samuels, all of Lapwai, Mikel and Levi Greene of Lapwai, Chelsea Baheza-Martinez of Lapwai and Dante Baheza of Plummer, ldaho, Kyle Samuels of Knoxville, Tenn., Kimberly Samuels of La Mesa, Calif., Kytanna, Joseph and Kainan Samuels of Metolius, Ore., Eric Langnese of Warm Springs, Ore., Tama Schjoll, Jenaea Frye, Kira Cook and Kayla Casey; his sisters, Essie Carter of Lewiston, Phyllis Penney of Kamiah, Lois (Maudie) and Ronnie Oatman of Kamiah, and Loretta and Bob Sobotta of Lapwai. He also leaves behind 21 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
As per his request, cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First Church in Kamiah with burial directly after. A covered-dish meal will follow at Nikisa Hall.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, January 9, 10:00 AM
- Location
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Kamiah First Indian Presbyterian Church
5th & Hill Street
Kamiah, Idaho 83536
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- A covered dish dinner will follow at Nikisa Hall.
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