KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sammy Dale Wright was born on Feb. 4, 1939, in Wellington, Kansas. He passed away on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, at his home in Kelseyville, surrounded by his loving family.

At the age of 2, Sam moved with his family to Vallejo, Calif., where his parents worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

He attended elementary, junior high, high school and junior college in Vallejo, all while playing sports, water skiing and goofing around with childhood friends.

Sam joined the United States Army in 1957 and served in the Army Reserve until 1964.

Following his service, he attended Chico State College, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education with a minor in business.

While attending Chico State, he met his wife of 53 years, Connie Thomas of Kelseyville. They were married in 1964 at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church and the next year Sam was hired to teach physical education and coach varsity baseball at Madera High School in Madera.

In 1970 he and Connie moved to Kelseyville, where Sam was hired to teach business classes at Kelseyville High School. There, he would serve as basketball and baseball coach, athletic director and dean of students. He also started and taught a photography class.

Sam finished his career in education teaching math and computers at Gard Street School and then Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville before retiring from education in 1999.

In his spare time Sam engaged in many hobbies. He enjoyed photography, woodworking, camping, hunting, fishing and trap shooting.

Sam also worked each summer in the Lake County pear industry. He helped on his father-in-law’s ranch, served as the field man at Mt. Konocti Growers and constructed some of the first ladders at Stokes Ladders.

When not rooting on his beloved San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Sam would be found spending time with his greatest love – his family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Olive Wright; father, Dale Wright; brother, Garland Wright; and sister-in-law, Julie Wright.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Wright; his son, Michael Wright and wife Summer Wright; his daughter, Jaime White and husband Sean White; and his grandchildren, Marin Wright, J.T. Wright, Chris White, Paige White and Elsie White; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

There will be a celebration of Sam’s life on Friday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Kelseyville Cemetery with a reception following at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church Friendship Hall.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, https://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/.