Norise R. “Sam” Whipple, 74, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. A public visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight (March 6) at Owens Livingston Mortuary-White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. Ninth St. in Show Low. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 W. Deuce of Clubs. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.
Sam was born on a Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1940, in Show Low.
He grew up on his family’s ranch in Show Low and attended Snowflake High School, where he played varsity football. He spent his entire life in the White Mountains.
Sam worked for Shamrock Foods as a sales representative for many years, where he took joy in taking care of his customers and made many friends. Three days after his retirement from Shamrock Foods, Sam went to work for the Navajo County Road Department in Holbrook, where he remained until his death.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. He enjoyed roping with his son, as well as other friends. He loved being in the great out-of-doors whether it be hunting, fishing, camping or even taking Sunday drives with his sweetheart in the forest. He always enjoyed spending time with his family. Sam’s love for his family was great, and they all will miss his warm and gentle smile.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Belle Whipple; his children, Melody and Tom Judd, Lucinda and Thomas Thomas, Kayren and James Stevenson, Raynae and Ken Roberts, Randall and Glenda Whipple, Norissa Lopez, and Nancy and Dennis Smith; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marva Hufford and Patsy Tedder; and two brothers, Fred and Erva Whipple, and Pete and Chris Whipple.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sibyl Allen; and four brothers, Eugene Whipple, Wendell Whipple, Boyce Whipple and Brian Whipple.
Memorial contributions in the name of Sam Whipple to Miss Rodeo Arizona, Inc. (a non-profit organization), 11632 N. Sparrow Lane, Fountain Hills, Ariz. 85268, have been suggested by his family.
