SAM SCHELL
was born in Washington, D.C. on January 1, 1936 the son of the late Frank Elwood and Ruby Elizabeth Hunter Schell.
On April 26, 1985 he was united in marriage to Jeanine Mae Leeka, who survives.
Sam served his country honorably in the United States Army, where he was a proud member of the 101st Airborne. Being a licensed aviation mechanic and pilot - and having a God-given talent for all things mechanical and technical - he once rebuilt a crashed Alouette helicopter then took it through FAA certification. In his career, he also did troubleshooting for environment control systems at MOMA, and the Pentagon. Sam worked with manufacturing engineers to improve components that give everyone reliable telecommunication by making the necessary environmental control systems and switch gear rooms reliable.
A wonderful, loving husband, Sam loved his family and the Lord and enjoyed making people laugh. He greatly enjoyed the game of golf, starting as a child of 12 when he caddied for Senators and the Secretary of the Treasury (who was a lousy tipper). Sam's love of woodcrafting and building fast cars came from his father.
He departed this life on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 84 years and 3 months.
In addition to his wife of 34 years, Jeanine Leeka Schell of Savannah, Tennessee, he is survived by his children, Sam (Bones) Schell, Jr. of Maryland, daughter-in-law, Melody (Bozkid) Schell of Maryland, Brenda (LRB) Chandler of North Carolina, Michael Schell of North Carolina, and Sherri (Puncho) Reynolds of North Carolina; granddaughter, Harmony Autry and her children, Caymen Mason, Piper Autry and Mia Autry; granddaughter, Brianna Sungjin and her husband Benjamin ; grandson Michael Reynolds and his wife Jessica and their children, Bailee Reynolds and Maddix Reynolds; granddaughter, Tyler Arnold and her husband Nolan; and granddaughter, Jordan Reynolds; sisters, Betty Krempaski and her husband Dick of Florida, Diana Barnes of Maryland and Patricia Cook of New Hampshire; and 17 nieces and nephews, all very special to Sam.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Carol Swain.
Sam will be buried in West Virginia. There will be a memorial service to honor him announced at a later date in Maryland.