Samuel William Upchurch's Obituary
Samuel William Upchurch was born on July 11, 1973, in Portland, Oregon. His first
home was on a farm in West Linn, Oregon with his mother, Candice, and his
grandparents, Walla and Lillian Mann. His father, Gerald, was serving in the Marine
Corps in Thailand at the time. This was during the Vietnam War.
When his father returned home, Sam traveled with his parents to Southern
California, and lived in Tustin while his father fulfilled his remaining commitment of
service. After this service, Sam returned with his parents to his native Oregon.
Oregon—a place he loved. Sam was an outdoor boy and later an outdoorsman
whether it was fishing, shooting, hiking, gardening, planting trees or just spending
time with his Grandpa Wally on the Bar M Farm in West Linn. He loved animals and
helped his grandpa with the sheep and cattle. He learned many skills on this farm,
and the Bar M was part of him. He especially loved his Grandpa Wally Mann, and
Grandpa Wally loved him dearly. He received a kind, gentle and stable presence
from his grandfather.
Sam attended schools in Oregon City and Tigard. He received his GED from
Tigard High School in 1991. He went on to become an accomplished auto detailer
in Portland. From there he learned and excelled in auto painting and auto body
repair. He had good artistic talent, and this occupation suited him well. His last
job was mobile auto body and painting for various dealerships in the Portland area.
Sam was a very good athlete and played soccer and Babe Ruth baseball for
Oregon City and Tigard for many years in his youth. When he was eleven, he
traveled to Wyoming with his Babe Ruth team for division games.
Our handsome Sam left us on September 20, 2024. He is survived by his
significant other, Ashlee Cavinta of Portland; mother, Candice Upchurch of West
Linn; father, Gerald Upchurch of Oregon City; brother, Thomas Upchurch of West
Linn; and brother, Caleb Upchurch of Sherwood. Children include Brigette
Humiston of Keiser, Dylan Upchurch of Tualatin, Sammy Upchurch Jr. of Beaverton,
and Rylan Upchurch of Oregon City. He is predeceased by his grandparents, Walla
and Lillian Mann of West Linn and by George (Bud) and Jacqueline Upchurch of
Sherwood.
Services will be held at Stafford Christian Church in Wilsonville on Oct 12 at 10 am.
Christian interment will immediately follow at Robert Byrd Cemetery in Wilsonville.
A Celebration of Life will be held at McMenamins Old Church in Wilsonville after
burial.
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