Sam Jobes

Sam Shelby Jobes Jr., of Freeland, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, surrounded by his family.

Sam was born in Rotan, Texas, on Aug. 27, 1931, to Sam Shelby and Erma Jobes.

Sam’s childhood years were spent in Texas, graduating from Farwell High School and then earning a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from

Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas. After graduation he entered the Air Force, serving from 1953 to 1955, and then joined the Air Force Reserves attaining the rank of captain.

In 1955, Sam began his 35-year career with General Electric in Syracuse, N.Y., where he met his soon-to-be bride, Nancy.

His affiliation with GE would transport Sam and Nancy from Syracuse to Germany, Oklahoma City, Okla. back to New York and finally to Amherst, N.H., where he retired in 1992. Sam was a senior member of the General Electric ELFUN Society.

In May 2000, Sam and Nancy moved to Whidbey Island, where he discovered Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, becoming a member and volunteer. He also joined the local American Rhododendron Society, meeting many new friends.

Sam was particularly devoted to his family, and to all the friends he and Nancy made during their years together. Last June, Sam and Nancy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Rosario on Orcas Island with family and friends from across the country.

Sam had a quiet manner about him, but possessed a quick wit and a smile that could light up a room. He was a kind and caring person and a born southern gentlemen.

Sam’s interests were many and diverse. He was a runner, finishing in both the Marine Corps and Philadelphia marathons. A lifelong passion was hiking and, while living in New Hampshire, he climbed most of the high peaks, gaining him the title of “old man of the mountain.” Sam was the oldest member in the local Appalachian Mountain Club and was honored with a lifetime membership.

He was an avid reader, particularly of history. Sam was also a family historian, wanting to preserve and pass on stories about ancestors to his children and grandchildren. Sam loved to travel, and over their years together, he and Nancy enjoyed numerous trips abroad.

Music, however, was the centering point for Sam, who believed that life without music would be very sad indeed. And, of course, he was a superb dancer.

Sam was a loving and steadfast husband and father. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Nancy; daughter Lauren, son-in-law Mark, and children, Kellen and Allison; son Bryan, daughter-in-law Lynn, and children Sean and Eric; and also by his many friends.

Cremation was held with a private family interment on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Sam now rests beneath the towering evergreens in Sunnyside Cemetery, near the trail that he loved to hike to Ebey’s Landing.

The family requests that any remembrances be made to South Whidbey Volunteer Association, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, or Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.