The Memorial Service for Samuel B. Stevens, age 75 of Keldron, SD will be held at 1:30pm MT on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at the Turning Point Christian Center on main street in Lemmon, SD. Pastor T.J. Shockley will officiate and a private family interment will be held at a later date. Military honors will be provided by Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66.

SAMUEL BARON STEVENS III was born on December 30, 1938 in White Plains, NY to Samuel and Betty (White) Odenthal. At an early age, he moved with his parents to Danville, CA where he graduated from high school in 1956. In 1957, he served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he met Ana Perez. In 1960, Sam attended Palomar College in Vista, CA where he studied Drama and Business. Sam and Ana were united in marriage on June 17, 1962 in Oakland, CA. Three daughters were born to this union, Cathy, Stephanie, and Christine.


Sam was a savvy businessman. Over his lifetime, he purchased numerous struggling businesses and then through enthusiasm, creative ideas, and intelligent business practices, re-energized them into a thriving business, which he resold. He was an excellent listener and had fantastic communication skills and would turn a difficult moment into a positive experience. The first time you met him, you thought you would have known him all your life. While he was in South Dakota, Sam volunteered with LACED helping to build hope and homes to families in need. He thought highly of the Lemmon businesses. Always looking ahead and getting involved, he had visions of turning Lemmon into a more prosperous community.

His wife Ana passed away on October 26, 1997. He continued to live in San Diego. After his daughter, Christine moved to South Dakota. Sam soon followed and he constructed his own cabin on the Lopez ranch near Keldron. It was during this time that he got re-acquainted with his high school sweetheart, Kathy Ball. They were united in marriage on September 30, 2006 at Keldron by their son-in-law, Matt Lopez. Together, they spent the summer months in South Dakota and winter months in Penn Valley, CA and visited Stephanie in Melbourne AU.

Sam loved golfing and animals. His grandchildren, they were all precious to him.

He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 26 ½ years where he touched numerous lives and provided guidance and support to many.
Sam passed from this life on Friday evening, September 26, 2014 in Penn Valley, CA at the age of 75 years, 8 months, 26 days.

Keeping him in their fondest memories are his wife, Kathy, Penn Valley, CA; 3 daughters and 4 sons-in-law, Cathy Stevens and Greg Alario , Penn Valley, CA; Stephanie and Peter Blyth, Melbourne, Au; Christine and Matt Lopez, Keldron, SD; 1 step-daughter Karen and her husband, Russell Ratti, Penn Valley, CA; 11 grandchildren, Samantha Alario, Nicholas and Ben Blyth, Tristan, Alexis and Jessica Lopez, Josh, Joe, Ben, Sam Swink, and McKayla Ratti , 1 sisters, Carolyn Jackson, Albuquerque, NM; 1 step-brother, Lee White, Chino, CA; 1 step-sister, Cynthia White, Missoula, MT; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 1 step-son, David Ball.

A memorial has been established.