SAMUEL HOLGAR YOUMANS

Samuel Holgar Youmans (Sam), March 18, 1927-August 17, 1993. Sam is my father and would have been 90 today. Unfortunately, and sadly, he died much to young in 1993. I once heard that anyone can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a Dad. Sam was a special person.

Sam was the fourth child of Samuel Harvey Youmans and Hazel Victoria (Vautier) Youmans. He was born in Hopewell, VA and had three sisters and two brothers. The family moved to Ohio during the depression in search of work and finally settled in Sebring, OH where I grew up. Sam married June Evelyn (Carlisle) Youmans on April 10, 1951. They settled in Sebring and had three children. They were married for 42 years, until my Dad's death.

Sam left High School to enlist in the Navy during World War II. After his discharge from the Navy after the War, he went back to High School where he graduated in 1947. Dad had been accepted to Tulane In University and was going to go to on the GI Bill. For whatever reason, he never went and stayed in Sebring. Dad, like most people in Sebring, went to work in the pottery. He worked at the Royal China Co. until it went out of business in the 1980's. He was a kiln placer which was one of the better jobs in the pottery. He was active in the union and was a long time president of Local 59 which was part of the potters union which was part of the AFL-CIO. He also organized the Summer Potter's Picnic and the annual Christmas party. Dad was well liked in the community. He was an intelligent man and an easy going person.

Dad always enjoyed music and singing. He was in the Blue Jacket Choir while in the Navy. He had many favorite performers but as I recall from the records he had when I was young, Johnny Mathis was a favorite. He also used to sing around the house and especially liked "Roses Are Red" by Bobby Vinton. There was another part of a song he used to sing but I don't know where he got it. It went "Waterloo, drip, drip, drip."

Dad also enjoyed sports. He especially liked football and the Browns. Dad played football in High School. I remember the first Browns game he took me to. It was against the Cardinals in 1960. Jimmy Brown was still playing which was a treat. The first baseball game I ever saw was the Indians against the Red Sox with Ted Williams in 1959. This was right before Williams retired. The Red Sox won and I seem to recall Williams hit two home runs.

One of Dad's best friends was Theopane Stevie Steve. He owned a tavern in town called the Crystal. Dad would help Stevie by bartending and cleaning up on Sundays. Stevie died in a car accident I believe in 1962 and I recall my Dad being pretty dad about it. In addition to being a potter, my Dad would occasionally bartend. In fact, after the Royal shut down, he would often bartend at the Log Cabin which was owned by another life long friend. Dad also worked as a butcher part time. No question, my Dad was a very hard working man.

I have one favorite thing that I would like to share. Dad would often take me and my sisters fishing at Berlin Lake. We had our own special spot. Anyone who fishes, know that the purpose of a fishing trip is not to catch fish. That is what made this spot so special. We were never bothered by fish trying to be caught. Dad would fill a cooler with beer and pop, we would stop at a bait shop and get some worms, and take our bamboo poles out to the lake and have a ball. Funny what we remember.

I miss my parents very much. At least I had my mother until she was 85. I lost my Dad way to soon. I just wanted to remember him on what would have been his 90th birthday.

1947 Senior Class Picture

Mom and Dad with me

Mom and Dad's Wedding Day-Pictured are Grandma Hazel, my Dad, my Mom, and Grandma Carlisle

Dad at Christmas 1970's.

Dad and his brothers, left to right, Dad, Billy and Harry

Dad in his Navy uniform

Dad, Mom and my daughter Krysta Christmas 1985in Cincinnati

Dad, me and my cousin heather at the Fourth of July parade 1987 in Glen Ellyn, IL