Sam Neighbors

Garold William (Sam) Neighbors

Garold William (Sam) Neighbors passed away at the Putnam County Hospital in Unionville, MO, on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 after a lengthy battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 74 years of age, lacking 11 days being 75. He was really looking forward to his 75th birthday and to taking fair tickets for the fiftieth consecutive year.
Sam was born September 18, 1935 in Putnam County, Missouri, the son of Thomas Alonzo and Ivah Mae (Wood) Neighbors, who preceded him in death. He attended Unionville schools and graduated from Unionville High School in 1953. He then worked at Jones Pharmacy in Unionville until being drafted into the United States Army in 1958. Sam married Donna Parrish in Unionville, MO, on June 25, 1958 just five days prior to leaving to serve his country. While in service he played catcher for the Columbus General Depot team with his good friend Bill Meares being the pitcher.
Sam served in the Army until 1960 when he was honorable discharged. He and Donna then returned to home to Unionville. Sam worked at HyVee, Unionville Water and Light Department and MFA. He then worked for Fowler Elevator in Unionville for over 30 years, retiring in 2007. Sam was also an EMT and worked part-time with Putnam County Ambulance Service.
Sam loved his community and was very active in many civic activities and organizations. He had been a charter member of the Jaycees and was an active Charter member of the Unionville Lions Club. As a Lion he collected used eye glasses to be reused for the needy. He was also a member of the Putnam County Boosters Club and had served several years on the Putnam County Nursing Home Board and the McCalment Park Board. He was an active member of the Grant Street Church of Christ. Among his special memories was the class of teenagers that he taught in Sunday School. Sam was a true giver, even to the point of his life’s blood. He was a 10 + gallon blood donor and dearly loved his American Flag.
Sam was a sportsman himself (even though he was not allowed to play as a child.) He has a room full of trophies from baseball, bowling, golf, horseshoe pitching, etc.
Sam also loved gardening so that he had lots of produce to share with friends and those in need. Sam also was a great supporter and right hand man for Donna’s Kid-D-Barn Day Care & Preschool. He was instrumental in her business becoming Nationally Accredited.
Sam was perhaps most well known as an avid Putnam County Midget Fan. In recent years, Sam has helped run the scoreboard for basketball games but for many, many years he did it all by himself. He rarely missed a sporting event. For over 30 years he was the public address announcer at football games as “The Voice of the Midgets.” Sam had also served as grand marshal of the Homecoming parade. He umpired Little League Baseball for over 25 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Fan, attending a few games when he could.
Sam’s greatest love in life was his family. He was a very loving husband, Dad, Papa, and Great grandpa. His childhood was a tough one, with his Mother dying when he was a toddler and he wanted his family to have better memories. While he was a true blue Midget, his God and his family held first place in his heart.
Sam is survived by his wife Donna, of the home and two daughters, Deborah Vaughn and husband Andy of Chillicothe, MO, and DeAnna Weaver of Unionville. Sam’s five grandchildren are Katie Rice and husband Aaron, Chelsie and Brady Vaughn, Daxon and Dorie Beth Weaver. His great grandchildren are Hannah and Adisyn Rice. Sam is also survived by an older brother, Harold Neighbors of Hazelwood, MO, and his Step Mother in Law, Marian Parrish
In addition to his parents, Sam was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Linville and Beulah Parrish, whom Sam loved as his own.
Funeral services will be at the Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Interment will be in the Plainview Cemetery west of Pollock, MO.
Memorials are suggested to the family and may be entrusted to Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 s. 27th, Unionville, MO, 63565.