To any of you who knew him, you all should know, a legend has p***ed. Little Sam and I will never forget him, just as anyone who ever knew him ever will. God's speed... ...Darrell Cunningham
Darrell, Im sorry to hear this. Your Dad was stuff of legends around these parts. My Dad and yours used to hang out quite a bit way back when. Incidently we are bringing one the motors your dad did the machine work on back to life tomorrow. the motor has been together since the early 70's and has had no major work done to it since then. Im sure he'll be there... Please contact my Dad Nick Gans, Rustypile on here. Im sure you remember him. He'll want to know this...
My favorite cars were the Willys and early Corvettes and your dad's 61 was one of the best. I was pulling for him when he won his cl*** (61 and 62s are my favorites). I have been hooked ever since. You should be very proud of your dad. I agree-Godspeed-Jim
Darrell and Little Sam, keep TxRat and I posted on the funeral plans.. I wouldn't miss Sam's last p*** for anything.. Sam was working his magic when I was still a kid.. I knew Sam well, spent many an hour in that tiny machine shop of his.. He ran a Corvette at the drags and was the terror of his cl***.. I raced the dirt tracks in the '60s & '70s, and he had his hands on probably 75% of the engines we all ran.. He did the machine work on an old Chevy 327 for me around 71 - 72 and "coached" me on the ***embly.. I ran it for 2 seasons without so much as a hiccup.. New valve springs and a french kiss on each valve seat and the engine was used to power TxRat's high school ride in the late '80s.. The engine is now in my grandson's possession, and as TxRat said, we're waking it up tomorrow after a lengthy nap.. Sam, we want you there looking over our shoulders like you've always done.. RIP old friend, you've earned it.. Nick Gans, aka RustyPile
funeral plans, as I have heard it, are at 2:00 Friday in big 'ol Buna at the only funeral home there. He might not have been my "real" dad, but he was always the best father I ever had...
The funeral was the coolest thing I ever saw. All of Sam's closest friends showed up, and they asked anyone who had a story to tell about Sam, to please stand up. They videotaped the whole thing, and about 13 of us stood up and talked about Sam. There were funny stories, and sadness, and warmth, from a group of people who truly knew, and loved him. My wish in life is, that little Sam should grow up and follow in his namesake's footsteps to greatness. And that when I go, there would be a few folks that would stand up and say a few words for me. God bless each and every one of y'all, and hug your kids whenever you can, live each day like it was your last, it just might be...
The Jalopy Journal
