Sam McReynolds

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Sam passed away at Swedish hospital, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, due to a complication that developed after heart surgery Nov. 26, 2019. He was born in Deer Lodge County, Anaconda, Mont., to Helen Lucille Shafer and Claude Mitchell "Hap" McReynolds, March 11, 1951. Sam joined sisters, Beatrice and Carol Ann. When he was two, he moved with his sisters and his mom to Centralia to join his maternal grandparents. Later, the family moved to Chehalis, where Sam started and completed his schooling.

When Sam was 13, he began to work for CC White Paint Center. He worked after school, weekends and holidays. In high school, he went to work for Pioneer West Feed and Plant Nursery in Centralia and followed the same diligent work pattern in order to save enough money for college, on which he had set his sights. To save money and stay close to home for the first two years, Sam attended Centralia Junior College. He received his associate of arts degree and transferred to Washington State University, where he completed his bachelor of science degree and added a master of science.

He began to work for Bureau of Land Management in 1977, in Grand Junction, Colo. He began as a Range Conservationist and worked his way through the Bureau. He retired as the Communications and Information Officer for BLM, State of Wyoming in 2011. During his high school and college years, he enjoyed hiking, biking, skiing and camping, which he continued after his move to Colorado and added fishing and golfing, among other things. When he moved to Wyoming, he added his stepsons and volunteering for Cheyenne's Frontier Days to his interests. When he retired from the Bureau and moved back home to Chehalis in 2011, he became an active member of Lewis County Master Gardeners, Lewis County Model Railroad Club and Lewis County Genealogical Society. Sam collected stamps, coins and memories. Sam loved his life, his family, and his friends. He loved to travel and discover new places. Sam was not ready to leave this life behind, and he will be sorely missed by so many.

He was preceded in death by his father, Claude McReynolds; stepdad, Jack Lutz; mom, Helen Lucille Lutz; sister, Bea Beresford; and dear friends, Roger Lawrence, Mike Sartain and Bob Richeson.

Sam leaves behind his beloved wife, Allyson; stepson, Aaron Myhre (Kristen); grandson, Gavin Myhre; stepdaughter, Hayley Myhre (Daniel Ayotte); stepson, Theo Kanbe (Kaci Nicks); stepson, Nate Kanbe (Karsten); sister, Carol Wright; niece, Jennifer Chandler (Vern); great-niece, Marissa Gilmon; nephew, Jim Gilmon (Christine); great-nephew, Eli Gilmon; and great-niece, Mya Gilmon; niece, Donna Abbott (Larry); his cousins, David Cole (Rhonda), Brian Cole (Teena), Sue Lucas (Robert) and their children; and so many wonderful friends.

Sam would like remembrances to go to Habitat for Humanity, Doctors without Borders, or Planned Parenthood. A celebration of life will be held sometime in March.