Obituaries for October 27, 2000Samuel M. Tatum

Wasilla resident Samuel M. Tatum, 66, died from coronary artery disease on Oct. 15, 2000 at his home in Wasilla. Graveside services with military honors will be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at noon today.

He was born Aug. 29, 1934, in White Oak, N.C. He graduated from high school in North Carolina and attended two years of college at the University of Anchorage from 1973 to 1976.

Mr. Tatum served as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Air Force from 1955 through 1957 at Elmendorf AFB. After his discharge from the U.S. Air Force, he was employed as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 1957 through 1973. He retired from the FAA in 1973.

Mr. Tatum was a member of the Teamsters from 1974 through 1978 and worked on various jobs during the construction of the pipeline.

From 1978 through 1990, Mr. Tatum was employed in various jobs for the state of Alaska in Anchorage. He moved from Anchorage to Wasilla in 1994. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmachine riding and camping with his children and friends. He was an avid gun collector and a life member of the NRA.

Mr. Tatum was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his children, John (Josh) Tatum of Santa Rosa, Calif., Cheryl Ann Tatum of Escondido, Calif., and Christine M. Tatum of San Antonio, Texas; former spouse Joan M. Tatum of Anchorage; brothers, Jack Tatum of Falmouth Va., Charles Tatum of Lumberton, N.C.; sister, Carolyn Vitez of Vero Beach, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews residing in North Carolina and numerous friends residing in Anchorage and Wasilla.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory to the American Heart Association, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503.