Samuel Avalos Obituary

Sam, I still think about our old climbing days in the Garden of the Gods.....you were such a tough dude.....!! I still miss seeing you.....

Meet Sam long after he graduated, don´t remember how or where, but we shared a common bond as I also was a 98 lbs wrestler at Wasson. He would run into him from time to time and we would catch on what we were doing. He always had a smile and such a positive outlook. I still think of him from time to time. My thoughts and prayers with you all, gone but not forgotten!
Bernie

I knew Sam through Bowling with the AWBA (American Wheelchair Bowling Association)I had the honor of calling Sam a true friend and fierce competitor when it came to Bowling. I will always remember when Sam won the Las Vegas Tournament not so long ago and I was proud to see him victorious in that tournament. The Colorado Springs as well as many other tournaments have definitely lost a great bowler and sportsman. You are playing with the great one Sam and never say never. I will miss you very much and most importantly I will miss your laughter and seriousness on the lanes. Bowl a 300 for us and keep a spot open on your team when becomes time for us to join. God Speed and See You later My Friend!!!

I was saddened to hear of Mr. Avalos' passing. I remember sitting in his English class at Emerson many many many years ago. He was such an encouragement to me. He was my inspiration to write and even enjoy it. He will be missed

Michelle Streiff-Wilmot

I attended irving and mitchell from 1996-2002 and he was one of my favorite councelors. I'm sorry for this news and wanted to say a thank you to him for all the help through my difficult school years. He'll be missed.

Sammy you are going to be missed. I know that smile of yours will help to add a little more light in heaven. Good bye friend.

I am sorry to hear that Sammy passed away. I was a wrestler at Wasson when Sammy was in 9th grade and Nick was a sophomore. Their mother showed so much passion when they competed and I will never forget them. Sammy was so shy and quiet, but I can truly say that he had a heart of a lion after his accident. We are all blessed to have known him.

Dearest Diane, Mr. Avalos and Nick,
I was so saddened when I read of Sam.It's been a long time since I've seen you (Diane)but I can remember days at your house with your brothers as clear as day. Your all in my heart and prayers.

I attended Irving from 1989-1992. Mr. Avalos was my English teacher for two years. I remember him well because my older brother also had him as a teacher at Emerson. Sam was a great guy, we could always talk about things and he was always there to help me out. He was an outstanding teacher and I wasn't such a great student but he helped me at that time and I was very thankful for that. I will always remember him because he was one of the best teachers I ever had. He will be missed tremendously and my families thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

Sam,
We pale by comparison to you. You did more in your lifetime that most of us ever will. You were truly an amazing person. Thank you so much for trying to help my son, Ryan.

The Avalos Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. I worked with Sam at Irving Middle School and know he touched the lives of many students.

Lynne Stefonik

Mr. Avalos,
What an amazing man you are, were and always will be. Never in my life has any one touch me the way you did in my life. The first time walking into your office I was so upset and you said "what a pretty girl you are to be crying, and my gosh you are so little. I've never met anyone as little as you and I thought I would be the littlest person ever." It definately made me laugh and smile.
I love you Mr. Avalos, you will always be in my thoughts daily. I'll say hi everywhere I go.

Mr. Avalos,
What an amazing man I met and got to experience. You fulfilled many of my expectations and more as a person. I'll never forget walking into your office upset the first time and you said " what a pretty girl to be crying, WOWWWW your so little! Never met anyone littler than me;)." I love you and you will forever be in my dreams and memories.

Christine and Sam, Sr.,

David and I are just devastated that Sammy is gone.

Experiencing the love between Sam and Christine was always a highlight to my day. I'm so glad he had you in his life, and that you got to have him in yours. You have both touched so many lives, and made so many smile from the sheer joy of being around you.

You are in our thoughts and prayers, as always.

I had Mr. Avalos at Emerson in late 80's to early 90's. I really didn't know what to expect from him. He was a teacher to remember. Always kind and patient with a smile on his face. Our thoughts and prayers to you.

I will always remember his beautiful smile and attitude. It was inspiring to know Sam and watch him capture life at it's best! He will be missed as he was dearly loved by all who knew him.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I worked with Sam Avalos at Irving Middle School. He was a very inspiring person to know. I really enjoyed hanging out with him at work, and on our off time. Lost touch over the past few years because of being deployed overseas with the Navy. He was a great friend to have on your side, I will truely miss him. I am glad I got to hang out with him before I left the States. I send my prayers to his familia.

My families heartfelt sympathies go out to the family of Sam Avalos. My two sons were lucky enough to have Mr. Avalos as thier conselor at Irving Middle School. He had a true out come on both of them as he did on alot of students. He will be missed for all that he accomplished in his lifetime. May your Angel look over you and protect you each and every day.

Mike Berkey Family

My thoughts and prayers are with Sam and his family. I have fond memories of Sam as a fellow 1971 graduate

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the entire family of Sam Avalos...he will most assuredly be missed by those whose life he filled with joy.

Sam was a great guy and a true inspiration to all

For all that Sam had to endure in his life, he certainly was a great role model for all the people he touched. I will always remember Sam teasing me and his beautiful eyes. He has physically left this world but his spirit will live on forever. We will see him again one day. I feel blessed that I got to know him. I hope his family will find peace in knowing how much he was loved. I truly am sorry for your loss.

The Avalos family, Sam and I went to different schools together(old joke). I lost touch with Sam for many years but we reconnected over the last fifteen years.Sam was a councilor at Irving for my kids and I coached baseball at Wasson. I feel blessed to have shared that time with him. My respect for Sam cannot be expressed on this page. You, the family, are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have known Sam since middle school, and he taught me many things while on the wrestling team at Wasson. I remember rock climbing in the Garden of the Gods with Sam every summer. After the accident he never gave up, and I remember getting him out of the hospital for the first time on New Years eve. We had great fun falling into snow drifts and sneaking back in after midnight, much to the annoyance of the nurses. Sam is a very special person and we will miss
him. You are in our prayers always.

Sammy was a classmate of mine at Wasson. To this day, I still smile at the thought of him. May he rest in peace and may his family and friends be surrounded with love.

I went to North Junior and wrestled with Sam and Nick there and against them when I was at Palmer and they were at Wasson. Sam was always a real tough competitor on the mat and a nice guy off of it. That was a long time ago but it is noteworthy that he made such an impression that I still carry with me today. So sorry for your loss.

We are sad to hear about Sam. Our condolences to the family. We know he will be missed by so many.

My condolences to the family. I had Mr. Avalos as a teacher at Emerson in the 80's. He certainly was a wonderful human being and touched many lives. Debbie Seifert

My condolences to the family, Sammy could always bring a smile to my face.

I went to Irving Middle School from 1996-1998. Mr. Avalos was my counselor at Irving. I was also in Prevention Team all through school at Irving. I will never forget him I am sad to hear that he has passed. My thoughts are with his family.

The Avalos family,My children attended Irving Middle school and knew Mr.Avalos well.HE HAD THE RESPECT OF EVERY STUDENT IN THAT SCHOOL!!! They all loved him. I hope he knew of the positive influence he had on all of them and on the parents also. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mr. Avalos was the nicest and most helpful counselor I have ever had. I'm heartbroken to hear that he passed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

The Avalos Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Sammy was one of the greatest people I have ever met. He was not only a wrestling champion but a Champion at life. I will miss you Sammy. God bless you and your family.

Dear Christine & Family,
Steph and I are so saddened about the loss of Sam. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sam was one of the most upbeat and optimistic people I have ever met. While I knew Sam only a few short years, he left an impression on me that will last forever. I know I am a better person for knowing him. Please accept our condolences and know our thoughts and prayers are with in this time of grief.

I went to Emerson Junior High from 1983-1985 and fondly remember Mr. Avalas. He taught English to all of us 7th graders and always had such a friendly demeanor. He was down to earth and always seemed to know when we had a problem. My condolences to the Avalos family.

Dear Christine and family members,
On behalf of all of Sam's friends at Outdoor Buddies, I want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
May your memories bring you comfort. Many of us have very fond membories of Sam and his tremendous contibutions to the success of our organization.
We will miss him dearly.

Christine,
I am so saddened for the loss of one of the greatest men I met in life. Even though I only knew him through work, it was obvious that he made a huge impact on everyone that crossed his path. I will never forget his huge smile and the warmth he emitted to everyone around him -- not allowing his physical challenges to overshadow him. What a huge impact he made on his students and a great loss to this world. Know that he is now at peace, suffering no longer. He is now smiling down upon you and those that loved him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this bittersweet time.

Christine, Nick and Family, I'm so sorry for your loss but feel blessed that I had the chance to meet with Sammy before his passing. He was a wonderful man, friend and insperation to all of us! My thoughts and prayers to all of you.

The Avalos Family,
I went to Emerson Jr HIgh from 1987-1989, and I ALWAYS remember Mr. Avalos to have a smile on his face. He never seemed to let his physical abilities get in his way. He seemed to love life to the fulliest back then, so I can only imagine as he got older that he was always beaming. May God Bless you all in this time. You all know he was a wonderful man!

Christine, Mike and family,
I wish we could be there for you but know you are in our prayers. Hope you enjoy the video, he was a wonderful man and will be missed by all.

I am so saddened, and I know I join the family of those Sammy touched throughout his life, to see that this precious earthly life has ended. I did not know until today, through an e-mail to Wasson Alumni from Lynne Stefonik, that Sammy was sick, let alone ending this journey.
I so remember cheering for Sammy and Nick during their wrestling careers...and the passion and devotion their mother and father displayed for them. Special young men, a special family, an example for us to remember what family is about.
What a tribute to tenacity, heart and values Sammy expressed and I hope School District 11, our city and citizens will honor this wonderful man, his heart and his efforts!
God bless you and give you peace Sammy...
Mikki