It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Samuel R. Utt on April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 77. Sam was born January 26, 1948, in Evansville, Indiana and adopted by his parents Helen and Willard Utt.
Sam grew up in Huntingburg, Indiana as an only child. He made friends easily, many lasting well into his adult years.
Sam spent all his summers on his Uncle Hiram and Aunt Catherine’s farm in Vincennes, Indiana. He was very close to his cousins, Jim and Benny. He told so many stories of all their time together.
After graduating high school in 1966, Sam attended Indiana University for a year. He returned to Huntingburg to work in his father’s pharmacy.
In August 1969, Sam was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Viet Nam until January 1970. He received an honorable discharge.
After returning home, Sam started to travel with friends across the country and Europe.
In 1978, Sam was living in Tucson, Arizona where he met and became good friends with Roseanne and Vinny (Maryanne’s sister and brother). Maryanne was in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and later was stationed at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.
Sam and Maryanne dated and lived together for two years. During this time Maryanne adopted her two nieces, Diana and Lisa. On May 22, 1982, Sam and Maryanne were married. A month after they were married, they were assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base Arkansas.
In December 1984 Sam, Maryanne and the girls were assigned to Lackland Air Force Base Texas and in 1988 to Andrews Air Force Base Washington, DC. They traveled across the country for vacations and holidays to California, Indiana, Chicago, New York and Florida. Always connecting with family and close friends.
Sam and Maryanne left Andrews Air Force Base after retiring in August 1991. Before leaving Andrews, Sam was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis and was told it was progressive and non-reversible. They decided to move to San Antonio, Texas, the Military City, where there would be ongoing healthcare at the Veterans Affairs Audie Murphy Hospital.
Sam was a caring and concerned father to Diana and Lisa and offered to support them whenever they needed help.
Sam was “Papa” to his grandchildren, Phillip and Monica. He always told stories about taking them to Sea World, the park or McDonalds. He was always concerned about their wellbeing after their childhood too! When Phillip turned 18 years old, he asked Sam to adopt him as his son. Phillip was then adopted by Sam and Maryanne.
Sam is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Brian Fox. He is survived by his wife, Maryanne; children, Diana and Stan Fox, Lisa De Paola, and Phillip Garcia; grandchildren, Monica and Kenneth Tello, Trever Fox, and Ethan Fox; and great-grandchildren, Veronica, Moses, Shiloh, Laura, and Azalea.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North. The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, followed by a funeral procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any local animal rescue agencies.
