He is preceded in death by his loving wife of over 59 years, Florence (DeCarpentry) Pollard, as well as his parents, and sisters, Kathleen Pollard and Mary Margaret Griffith. He is survived by his sisters, Eldora and Sallyann, and his three children, Kathleen Garner (Buster), Robert (Terry), and Steven, as well as 3 grandchildren, Susan Moore, James Pollard, and Christopher Garner, and a great-grand-daughter, Jovi Moore. A great many nieces and nephews also survive him, too numerous to list.
Sam joined the National Guard at age 17, and into the Navy when he reached enlistment age. He proudly served 20 years, with numerous merit awards. He was 14 years at sea (on several ships) as an air traffic controller, and 6 years on land performing the same duties. After retirement from the Navy, he moved into Food and Beverage management in numerous positions, where he worked until his second retirement. After his Naval retirement, the family moved to the Houston, Texas area for four years before transferring to Orlando, Florida in 1975. He lived there for almost 50 years until recently moving to Metter, Georgia to live with his daughter, Kathleen, because of declining health.
Sam was an avid hunter and outdoorsman from a young age, often supplementing the dinner table. He was active in Scouting for many years, a tradition his son, Robert, continues to this day. Sam was a gentle, kind and generous man, with a store of entertaining tales about his service travels around the world. He will be missed.
No services are planned at this time. His wish was to be laid with his wife at the Bushnell National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Arrangements are being made for a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/atlanta-cremation for the Pollard family.
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