ERWIN
Sherrill Dale (Sam)
October 21, 1928-
January 29, 2024

95 of Tampa went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on January 29, 2024. Sam was born in Newmarket, Tennessee, and raised in the Johnson City Tennessee area. At this time in American history, it was the beginning of the Great Depression. He was an only child and during his early childhood he would need to live with his adoring Grandparents for a while so that his parents could travel to look for work. His family's love for one another and strong bond is what kept them together during these hard times.

Sam joined the Navy as a teenager in 1946 at the end of World War II. He trained to be a Helmsman steering the Destroyer during the Post-War Cleanup Period. After a few years of Navy life (1946-1948), Sam was honorably discharged. He went back home to Tennessee and moved to Knoxville with his mom, and grandmother. In the late 1940's they rented an apartment in the front part of June and Jay Spire's house. June's younger sister Sue was living with them while she attended Knoxville Business College. One day as Sam was sitting in the yard with Friends, he spied what he thought was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen! It was Sue (June's sister), walking up the hill, coming home from school. It was love at first sight and they were married a year later.

In 1956, Sam and Sue,and their baby Steve, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law Joe and Annaree all decided to move to a warmer climate. There were more job opportunities in Tampa and this is where they would live and spend the rest of their lives.
One of his first job opportunities as a teenager growing up in Tennessee was working on a steam locomotive train. His interest in machines and how they work would continue throughout his working career. After moving to Florida, He worked at Laclede Steel Company in South Tampa as a machinist and steel laborers for years. He took great pride in knowing that he was one of the steel laborers who worked to create the steel structure and famous Archway that would eventually become "The Gateway to the West " in St. Louis Missouri. Sam had a knack for driving and operating just about any vehicle. Towards the end of his working career, he drove a truck for Connor's Construction and was an integral part of constructing the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway.

Sam loved God and his family. Those two things always came first in his life. He was a Deacon at Hubert Ave Baptist Church. Years later, he served as an Elder of Calvary Open Bible Church and was the Sunday School Superintendent. Dad loved to read and study the word and discuss the Bible with others. When Sam was asked," How  would you like to be remembered?", Sam replied, " that I have helped someone become a better Christian ".

He enjoyed going on vacation with his family to visit relatives in Tennessee every summer. He loved to travel to explore new places. Sam enjoyed camping with his family in the Great Smoky Mountains, in Greenbrier, Tennessee. He also built great memories working with the Boy Scouts and going on fun camping trips. His happy place was being in his workshop shed he built in the backyard. He loved to work in the yard and plant trees, especially citrus trees. His sons and Son-In-Law, Steve, Scott, and Mike were his best friends. They had such good times working together repairing things, or just hanging out and going to lunch.

His daughter Shannon, was his caregiver for the past 6+ years and she along with the family, would like to thank all the special people in our dad's life who loved and cared for him through his long battle with dementia and Alzheimer's. Special longtime caregiver Helen, and caregivers :Shanna, Katherine,Patty, Riseah; VA Direct Care-Linda; VA Home Base Team: Mara, Bernadine, Clare, Sandra, and the entire team; Life Path Hospice Burgundy team; nurses: Claudia, Vannessa, Macellie, and many more.

The family would also like to thank lifelong friends and neighbors: the Tolbert family, the Olmstede family and the Sherman family for all their love, care, and support given to our family throughout the past 60 years.

Sam was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Blanche Erwin; his best friend and loving wife Sue -married almost 66 years; his favorite Son-In-Law, Mike Abbott.

He is survived by his children: Steve (Grace), Shannon Abbott, Scott(Katrina), 10 grandchildren: Shawn Locks (Brandon), Charity Toth (Ryan), Joy Williams (James), Kristen MacCready (Michael), Tiffany Udvadia (Ed), Faith Griffin (Jacob), Joshua Erwin (Kristen), Katie, Caleb, and Ryleigh Erwin, and 11 Great -Grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Annaree Shular, Sister-in-law's, Devone Davenport Brandt, Gerldean Shular Maples, and several nieces.

The family will receive family and friends to celebrate his life at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home in Riverview on Friday, February 23 rd gathering at 1:00 , then a Service with Military Honors and Eulogy will be presented at 2:00 with John Maglott officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity of choice or finding a cure for Dementia –Alzheimer's