Obituary of Howard R. Sammons

Mr. Howard R. Sammons, 96, formerly of Gloversville, died peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Ellis Hospital. Born in Johnstown, NY on November 26, 1919 he was the son of the late Roscoe and Bertha Briggs Sammons. A lifelong area resident, Howard was a 1937 graduate of Johnstown High School. He then went on to attend Union College in Schenectady and Roosevelt Aviation School in Mineola, Long Island, NY before WWII. Howard attended basic training in Greensboro, NC and was stationed at Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX. He served proudly with the Army Air Force until his discharge in 1946 with the rank of Corporal. Howard taught Aviation Engine Overhaul for the State of Maine Department of Education in Eastport and was a Carburetor overhaul specialist at the US Navy Air Station in Road Island. He then went to work as the Project Engineer in Charge for the New York State Department of Transportation, Division of Construction for 35 years until his retirement. He also was an Engineer with C&S Consulting Engineers. Committed to his community, Howard was also a former member of the Concordia Club, former member of the Board of Directors of Ida McGinnis Senior Citizen Center, Trustee Emeritus of the Fulton County Historical Society, life member of the American Legion Post No. 137, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Ward, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, member of the NYS Association of Highway Engineers, member of St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge No. 4 F&AM, Royal Arch Mason Chapter 78 and the Loyal Order of Moose Chapter 1185. He was also a member of the North Main Street United Methodist Church where he served four years as the President of the Board of Trustees, two years as co-chairman of the Finance Commission and was co-founder of the Thursday Men's Work Group. Howard will be remembered for his strong work ethic and his love for his family. He enjoyed traveling, summers at Caroga Lake and his love of learning. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his wives, Anne Craver Sammons and Betty Suits Sammons. Survivors include his children, Richard Sammons and his wife Delia Peng , David Sammons and his wife Linda, Robert Sammons and his wife Debra and Mary Anne Valentine and her husband Edward; seven grandchildren, James Sammons and his wife Krisite, Dr. Matthew Sammons (Dr Victoria Olson-Mikitowicz), Stephen Sammons and his fiancé Alice Hamilton, Jeffrey Sammons, Elizabeth Sammons, Lauren Valentine, Zachary Valentine (Christina Page) and Ryan Valentine (Nallin Ramos); two great granddaughters, Leah Sammons and Asuna Valentine. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 11a.m. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville. Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Sand Flats, Fonda, NY. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 2 until 5p.m. at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will take place at 4p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund www.nymason.org or to the North Main Street United Methodist Church, 316 N Main St, Gloversville, NY 12078. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com