Samuel Tolley

We are deeply saddened that Sam Tolley, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away April 6, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Born in Bartley, WV, to Dallas and Marie Tolley, December 30, 1935, he was the fifth of eight children. All remained lifelong friends. When grown, though far apart in miles, they visited each other often. Their harrowing and humorous tales of coming of age in West Virginia never ended. Sam survived his parents and siblings. His love, laughter, and stories will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Boatwright Tolley and their two sons, Mark Alan (Dinah) and Jeffrey Todd (Heather), and five awesome grandchildren: Mark and Dinah's twin boys, Alan and Alex, and Jeff and Heather's three children, Savannah Hardy (Chris), Kayleigh, and Ethan. He also is survived by three sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Sam graduated from Big Creek High School, War, WV, in 1954. The draft brought him to Albuquerque where he served in the U.S. Army at Sandia Base as a military policeman. He remained in Albuquerque to continue his education at the University of New Mexico. He was employed by Safeway Stores for over 25 years, then became a vice president of the United Food & Commercial Workers' Union 1564 for another ten, retiring in 1999.

After retirement, he enjoyed travel, R-Ving, camping, fishing, skiing, sports events, theater, and outings with his family. He was an avid Lobo basketball and Dallas Cowboys football fan.

Sam was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church for 59 years. He particularly enjoyed working with the children's Sunday School and softball league, food ministry, and the men's prayer group.

He was the model of what the best father should be, assuring that his boys were outdoorsmen, academically capable, morally sound, and could pass muster in the kitchen.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Reverend Josh Kouri and Reverend Jim Hawk will officiate. Burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Tuesday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made to:

St. John's Music Ministry, St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE, Albuquerque NM 87110, New Mexico Alzheimer's Foundation, 6731 Academy Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or

St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105