Sammie Joe "Sam" Smith
March 20, 1934 - July 8, 2020
Redwood City
Sammie Joe "Sam" Smith, 86, passed away at home, holding his wife's hand. A gifted conversationalist, Sammie had a love of learning and a taste for gourmet cooking, wine, travel and golf.
Born in Putnam, Oklahoma in the midst of the Dust Bowl, his family soon migrated to the orchard-filled Santa Clara Valley, the Valley of Heart's Delight. Sam attended San Jose High School and Willow Glen High School in San Jose. He was an AP student who was on the varsity basketball and swim teams in his junior and senior years and he was on Willow Glen's informal golf team. He graduated from Willow Glen in 1952. Sam played steel guitar and loved the music of Hank Williams and Jerry Byrd. He loved riding motorcycles and rode into his 60's.
He met Betty Whitehead at the Foursquare Pentecostal Church in San Jose. They were married in 1955, and had two sons, Stephen and Gayle. Sam and Betty divorced in 1978. As a young man, Sam worked as a patternmaker for FMC and Kearney Pattern Works. Sam studied law at Lincoln Law School. He received his L.L.M. and J.D. and opened his practice, Golden & Smith, in Sunnyvale with his half-brother. He began teaching law classes in contracts and real estate law. It was there that his red head was turned by a vivacious, raven-haired student whose intellect and wit complemented his own. Sparks flew, and in 1988, Sam married Blair Rhodes. They remained inseparable until the time of his passing.
Sam practiced law for almost 50 years in both Santa Clara County and then, when his brother retired, with Blair in San Mateo County. As a lawyer, he was knowledgeable, fearless and always courteous. He loved life, would try just about anything, and was comfortable in his own skin. He enjoyed people and loved to socialize. He never held a grudge and was never dispirited. He will be missed by a large circle of friends, family, colleagues, and students.
He is survived by his wife Blair, sister Gladys Hartness, sons Stephen Smith, and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Teri Nelson, and Gayle Smith and daughter-in-law Diane Laurion-Smith, his granddaughters Brandy Smith and Jessica Smith, Cousin Janne Harlow and family, nephew Tim Hartness and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Samuel Smith, his beloved sister Audrey Vossler, his dear friend Davida Tussman, and Blair's parents Richard and Luella Rhodes.
On Friday, July 24, 2020, there will be a procession leaving Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City, California, meeting at noon. There will be an outside memorial service at Skylawn Memorial Park, at Highway 92 and Skyline Boulevard, at 1:15 p.m., followed by an outdoor reception at Vino Santo Bistro, 2030 Broadway Street in Redwood City, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jul. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Sammie Smith

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7 Entries

Tim Hartness

March 20, 2025

Happy birthday uncle. Sure miss you. Think of you every day.

Tim Hartness

July 3, 2022

Two years Friday. I miss you uncle. Wish I could talk to you.

Brandy & Grandpa

Gayle Smith

July 25, 2020

Brandy & Grandpa, inseparable.

Gayle Smith

July 24, 2020

Regarding my father, Sammie. I am still stunned by his passing and groping to come to terms with “Life without Dad”

Then it occurred to me that my “life” was truly not without dad in all ways, except purely physical.

He exists in my blood, genetics and treasured memories. It's some of these memories that I would like to share with those at this service or those whom may be virtually attending.

From the beginning and earliest memories, dad was always there. When he would come home from work as a Pattern Maker with FMC Corp, he would walk in the door and pick me up in greetings
and swing me around.

He always insisted that we dined as a family and dinner was that sacred time.

He taught me (and my brother) how to repair a bicycle and change the tires using tools. Skills that became fundamental to my life.

My father emphasized honesty, morality and respect. He emphasized peaceful interaction between my brother and I when we were at odds with one another however, he did provide us with boxing gloves
and a wrestling mat when physical contact was the solution.

My father had a love for motorcycles. He taught me and my brother to ride them, tear them down and rebuild them, and respect them. He grounded me for a whole summer for violating his rules of riding. Trust me, that stuck in my head the rest of my life. DO NOT RIDE A MOTORCYCLE IN TENNIS SHOES. To this day, that rule is permanently in my head.

When I was old enough to have a paper route, I had to be up at 4:00 AM. I had a terrible time waking up however, that problem was quickly corrected when I entered the Air Force. Often the paper route manager would pound on the door and when the route was running late, dad would fire up his motorcycle and I would ride on the back of the bike behind him, with the newspapers slung over the seat and me flinging papers onto porches.

He taught me how to fly a kite, swim, play baseball, football and basketball. He would grin through all of it with his wide warm smile and frequently join us along with the neighbor kids to play-ball in the street.

Of course the elephant in the room was golf. First, from a very early age, he would take my brother and me to various golf courses to search for lost golf balls and then have us caddy for him on weekends.

We eventually got our own clubs and finally got to hit the ball. Wow, I was trying to play golf, just like my dad. I was so proud. I learned so much from my father on the golf course. How to socialize, respect others, be a true sportsman, and most of all, learn to say FORE!

The years passed, I pursued a military career married and was blessed with the highlight of my life, the birth of my daughter, Brandy. When Brandy was born, dad flew to Seattle to make sure he got to see and spend time with his first granddaughter. My parents marriage faltered. Dad hung in through all of the divorce issues but continued to financially care for my mother. I am very proud of him for doing that.

Dad remarried a wonderful woman Blair, Whom I am proud to refer to as my “Stepmother” They were/are a wonderful match, both being attorneys, it led to some of the most vivid debates I have been part of or observed. That interaction honed up my skills.

After retirement from the military, I attended 2 years of law classes to become certified as a Paralegal. My goal was to eventually work as Paralegal for Sammie and Blair. I achieved that goal in 2002 and it was a highlight in my life. I traveled with dad to court (trial) sat with him, took notes for him completed legal forms and consulted with and took guidance from both dad and Blair regarding case law and preparation. Watching my father conduct a trial, even in this later stage of life, was exhilarating
for me. In my mind, dad was always this Perry Mason kind of guy so I got to see him in real action.

In 2004 I relocated to NY, married my lovely wife Diane and settled in. Since dad loved to travel he made multiple trips to visit us and and interacted with the locals. We was fascinated with the Amish, and traveled with me on a daily basis to pick them up so they could raise my barn. We would sit for hours and watch them and interact with them as much as they would allow.

Another highlight that dad had were his multiple visits to the Massena NY Italian American Club. This is an all mens club (with the exception of 1 Wednesday a month for the ladies). He would sit with the two retired county and town judges in the club and talk law, swear, drink scotch and then eat a meal made “Old School Italian” style by the members.

Another fond memory is my father upon return from these club outings, sitting with my wife Diane and singing old Tom T. Hall country songs with her as she would pull them off of the internet. A video of this was made and may be available. My fathers last 2 visits to New York included my brother Steve where we had a final opportunity to play golf, play musical instruments and simply enjoy dad.

Rest in peace Dad. I love you XX

Tim Hartness

July 24, 2020

Miss you Sammie. Thank you for all you were to me. I’ll never forget our wonderful times. Love you always.

Tim

July 24, 2020

Sammie was the best uncle there ever was. I cherish all the time I spent with him and miss him so. He will always be in my heart forever. I love you Sam.

Darlene Hayes

July 23, 2020

I always remember my Uncle Sam as youthful, even as he aged. I remember in 2003 I visited Sam & Blair’s Home in North Carolina. I stayed for a week. During that time my brother & I went boogie boarding & Uncle Sam joined us as well. He participated like he was 20 years younger out there waiting on a wave. As was mentioned in his obituary, he was very intelligent & wasn’t intimidated about trying new things. His mind amazed me when I listened to whatever he had to say. He was multitalented. I will miss his glowing face & smile when he talked about life. Love you Uncle Sam...

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