Samuel C. Lerma

Samuel (Sam) C. Lerma went to his eternal rest on Sunday, January 21, 2007. He was born on February 12, 1926 in Santa Monica, CA and was a long time resident of El Paso. Beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 52 years, Victoria and three daughters: Patsy Saenz and her husband Mario, Nora Benskin and her husband Steve of Dallas, and Katy Rosales and husband Charlie; two grandchildren Armando Diaz III and his wife Jessica, of San Antonio and Samantha Rodriguez and boyfriend Andy Flores, of San Francisco; and first great-granddaughter born January 11, Ava Gabriella Diaz. Although born in the U.S., he was reared in Mexico and spoke only Spanish upon his return to the U.S. in 1945. Despite his limited language skills he taught himself English and served in the armed forces, serving his country from 1947 to 1950. While in the U.S. Air Force, as an avionics technician, he participated in the Berlin Airlift. Continuing to improve his language skills he joined Toastmasters and went on to win public speaking awards. He studied several forms of martial arts, Judo, Karate, and Aikido earning his black belt in Aikido. Self employed for many years, he had a successful general contracting business in the El Paso area. He was an honorable man, a dedicated husband and a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A stranger to no one, he had friends as far away as New Zealand. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at Sunset Funeral Home-East. Vigil Service will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at Sunset Funeral Home-East.Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Friday, January 26, 2007 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church; located at 2301 Zanzibar. Interment will be at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mario Saenz, Steve Benskin, Charlie Rosales, Armando Diaz, III, Andy Flores and Arturo Salinas. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Alvarez, Marcel Pierel, Sam Vasquez, Armando Reyes, Tony Rosales, Tom Norris, and Fernie Zubiate. The Lerma family would like to thank Dr. Alfonso Chavez and the staff of the Fresenius Dialysis Center; Visiting Nurses Association / Hospice, the staff at Del Sol Medical Center and all who traveled from outside the city to pay their respects. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East . Please visit online register book @ www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net