Samuel David Rhodes of Anchorage, Alaska, age 63, died at home on November 5, 2021, with his loved ones by his side. Born on January 31, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sam was the cherished only child of Kenneth and Claudie Rhodes. Preceded in death by his father, Sam is survived by his mother, Claudie and his loving wife, Karen Hamilton.
After completing school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with the Class of 1976, Sam began his lifelong career in the union movement. He soon rose to be president of the Tulsa local of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Sam went on to Houston to work as an AFSCME organizer and then as a staffer for the Texas American Federation of Teachers. For the last 16 years, Sam served as an organizer and business agent with the Alaska State Employees Association, AFSCME Local 52. Sam's union work made life better for thousands of public employees.
Sam was a lifelong learner. He read widely, thought for himself, and relished a good dialogue about his wide-ranging interests. A treasured experience was his participation in the Trade Union Program in labor studies at Harvard University.
Sam pursued keen interests in music, literature, film, and photography. In words and images, he could bring to life the joy he took in all the good things in life, warmly welcoming friends and family to enjoy them right along with him.
Emerson's definition of success in life fits Sam: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better…To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."
Sam lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. Plans are pending for a memorial celebration in Tulsa in the spring.
After completing school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with the Class of 1976, Sam began his lifelong career in the union movement. He soon rose to be president of the Tulsa local of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Sam went on to Houston to work as an AFSCME organizer and then as a staffer for the Texas American Federation of Teachers. For the last 16 years, Sam served as an organizer and business agent with the Alaska State Employees Association, AFSCME Local 52. Sam's union work made life better for thousands of public employees.
Sam was a lifelong learner. He read widely, thought for himself, and relished a good dialogue about his wide-ranging interests. A treasured experience was his participation in the Trade Union Program in labor studies at Harvard University.
Sam pursued keen interests in music, literature, film, and photography. In words and images, he could bring to life the joy he took in all the good things in life, warmly welcoming friends and family to enjoy them right along with him.
Emerson's definition of success in life fits Sam: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better…To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."
Sam lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. Plans are pending for a memorial celebration in Tulsa in the spring.
Samuel David Rhodes of Anchorage, Alaska, age 63, died at home on November 5, 2021, with his loved ones by his side. Born on January 31, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sam was the cherished only child of Kenneth and Claudie Rhodes. Preceded in death by his father, Sam is survived by his mother, Claudie and his loving wife, Karen Hamilton.
After completing school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with the Class of 1976, Sam began his lifelong career in the union movement. He soon rose to be president of the Tulsa local of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Sam went on to Houston to work as an AFSCME organizer and then as a staffer for the Texas American Federation of Teachers. For the last 16 years, Sam served as an organizer and business agent with the Alaska State Employees Association, AFSCME Local 52. Sam's union work made life better for thousands of public employees.
Sam was a lifelong learner. He read widely, thought for himself, and relished a good dialogue about his wide-ranging interests. A treasured experience was his participation in the Trade Union Program in labor studies at Harvard University.
Sam pursued keen interests in music, literature, film, and photography. In words and images, he could bring to life the joy he took in all the good things in life, warmly welcoming friends and family to enjoy them right along with him.
Emerson's definition of success in life fits Sam: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better…To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."
Sam lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. Plans are pending for a memorial celebration in Tulsa in the spring.
After completing school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with the Class of 1976, Sam began his lifelong career in the union movement. He soon rose to be president of the Tulsa local of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Sam went on to Houston to work as an AFSCME organizer and then as a staffer for the Texas American Federation of Teachers. For the last 16 years, Sam served as an organizer and business agent with the Alaska State Employees Association, AFSCME Local 52. Sam's union work made life better for thousands of public employees.
Sam was a lifelong learner. He read widely, thought for himself, and relished a good dialogue about his wide-ranging interests. A treasured experience was his participation in the Trade Union Program in labor studies at Harvard University.
Sam pursued keen interests in music, literature, film, and photography. In words and images, he could bring to life the joy he took in all the good things in life, warmly welcoming friends and family to enjoy them right along with him.
Emerson's definition of success in life fits Sam: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better…To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."
Sam lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. Plans are pending for a memorial celebration in Tulsa in the spring.
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