Samuel Lyon Lake Sr.

Samuel Lyon Lake Sr., went to be with the Lord August 16, 2010. Born in New York City on October 17, 1916, the son of Elizabeth and Howard Lake. He grew up in Pleasantville, a small town in New York, and attended Valley Forge Military Academy on a music scholarship. At Hamilton College, Sam was very active in sports, which included ice hockey and baseball, playing music on ocean liners to Europe and back, and graduated president of his class in 1939. He was starting a career in radio at NBC of New York when WWII interrupted and he joined the Army Air Force. In 1950 Sam arrived in Seattle as a flight test engineer for the Boeing Company B-17 and B-29 airplanes. He has been a resident of Washington State ever since. An avid musician, Sam played trombone with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra for two years and later organized his own dance band called “The Men of Note”, which played for weddings and other special events in the Seattle area for over 40 years. For about 10 years he owned a marina selling and servicing small boats and motors and later worked in the insurance industry. In retirement, Sam led a very active lifestyle of service, family, and friends. As a resident of Mercer Island for over 60 years, he was very involved in many clubs and organizations in the community. Sam was famous for his berry patch adjacent to his Mercer Island home, making lots of homemade jam, which he generously shared with family and friends. Up until his death at the age of 93, Sam sang in the choir of the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, was a devoted volunteer of the Mercer Island Lions Club for 38 years, served as president of the Mercer Island Historical Society, enjoyed season tickets to the symphony and opera, attended meetings at the College Club of Seattle, and played golf once a week. The highlight of his life was marrying Shirley Lewis who has been a major influence and caring mother to four wonderful children, Adele, Randy, Sam Jr. and David. With eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, he always made time for the relationships that meant so much to him. Sam was blessed with family and friends who loved him very much. As part of God’s plan, Samuel Lyon Lake made an eternal difference in all of our lives and his love lives on in our hearts forever. A memorial was held at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church on Sunday August 22, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Remembrances may be made to Mercer Island Lions Club, P.O. Box 895 Mercer Island, WA 98040.