The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Leader, hero honored for walk
Veteran Sam Felton remembered for helping others less fortunate, modeling humble service in county
Lorain County and local veterans communities have suffered an immeasurable loss May 22 with the death of
Sam Felton Jr..
Felton, a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. served from 1968 to 1972 during the Vietnam War.
He was installed as the commander of Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20 and as the president of the Valor Home in Lorain, which serves and houses homeless veterans.
“I was fortunate enough to meet Sam when he won Veteran of the Year in Lorain (2010), and I was asked to be a guest speaker,” said Mike Kachure, commander of AMVETS Post 47 in Lorain. “I remember him winning and the gracious speech he gave.”
Kachure said Felton was a constant representation of veterans in the area.
“When you think of Sam, you think about the veterans in Lorain and Lorain County,” he said. “He will be greatly missed. He is what epitomizes what being a veteran is all about. You think about his service during the war, but more importantly about what he did when he stepped up and led the way he did here. He was all about helping others.”
Tim Carrion, president of Lorain Veterans Council, said the loss of Felton has impacted not just the veteran community but the local community at large.
“It’s a challenge anytime we lose a hero,” he said. “It’s challenging already this year with the heroes we’ve
lost. Now, to add Sam Felton’s name to that roll call list Monday...it’s a big impact to not just the veteran community but the community at large. He was a hero, he was my hero.”
Carrion said Felton was a huge leader in the community.
“His leadership was felt with his non profit work supporting young children, his work at (Lorain County Community College) to promote what they do for veterans,” he said. “He did everything he did for the community without expecting anything in return, so it’s a loss for all.”
Carrion said Felton has helped other leaders, too.
“Being one of the leaders in the community myself, I’ve picked up little nuggets from how Sam led,” he said. “Seeing him has helped (leaders in the community) learn to help. We all need the time to heal from this loss, but we should also celebrate the legacy he left for all.”
Carrion said that legacy is best shown by how Felton served others.
“One of my mantras is that, ‘We are put on this earth to serve others’,” he said. “Sam epitomized this with his three tours where he volunteered to go to Vietnam and all the volunteering for the people in the community. When you serve, you don’t need compensation. When we bless others, blessings seem to find us. To me, that’s his legacy.”
Carrion said Felton is beloved locally also for his commitment to being a person from Lorain.
“He was just a regular guy,” he said. “He was a national hero, but he was also a Lorainite who was proud of the city. People who have done what he did, a good amount forget about where they come from. He’ll leave a big hole to fill, but it’s an opportunity for others to step up and continue what he did.”
Steve Bansek, president of the Lorain County Veterans Service Commission, said Felton was very involved.
“He dealt with a lot of things to help others in the community,” he said. “Most recently, he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (2019). He was a decorated veteran (awarded the Navy Cross in 1969 for his actions in saving fellow Marines in combat), was wounded and was a leader in the local community. There is going to be a gap that will take a lot to fill.”
Felton was appreciated by others, Bansek said.
“He was a great guy, he will be sorely missed,” he said. “My sympathies go out to the family. He was also the president of the Lorain Veterans Council for a time. You could go on and on about what he has done in the community...it’s not an easy loss.”
And Felton was a giant in his own right, Bansek said.
“I will remember him by when I would listen to the war experience and him being wounded,” he said. “He stood tall with those broad shoulders and wide smile. He is going to be missed.”
Tony Richardson, executive director of The Nord Family Foundation, described Felton’s impact on his life.
“My prayers and thoughts are with Sam’s family as they grieve his untimely demise,” Richardson wrote in an email. “And while Sam has transcended, his spirit and energy will forever be a part of our community. Sam is an inspiration to so many of us, and I am fortunate to have experienced his wisdom, humility, compassion and humor. Take flight, Sam. You have undoubtedly earned your wings, my friend.”
“I will remember him by when I would listen to the war experience and him being wounded. He stood tall with those broad shoulders and wide smile. He is going to be missed.” — Steve Bansek, president of the Lorain County Veterans Service Commission