Samuel Lasater

Samuel “Sam” Lloyd Lasater, age 83 of Gulfport, MS, passed away on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital.

Sam Lasater was born in Missouri on October 28, 1937 and raised in Iowa.  He was in the Navy for 3 years and Air Force for 17 years.  He completed 3 tours of duty in the Vietnam War and medals awarded included multiple Air Medals and two Air Force Commendations.  Sam completed his Air Force career at Kessler AFB, where he was stationed for many years.  He retired as a Master Sergeant and remained in Gulfport, MS, as it had become his home.  Upon retirement, Sam started Lasater Construction Co., Inc.  He built numerous new homes and additions and made repairs from several hurricanes across the MS Gulf Coast.  His work always had to be perfect, and he was well respected by his clients.  He had to retire from construction because of Parkinson’s Disease which he fought valiantly for decades until the very end.

Sam was a man of great integrity, humility, patience, and perseverance.  He never complained and never got angry.  He was respectful to everyone and was willing to help anyone.  He was involved with his children’s activities and education.  He was a good man, incredible role model, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Thelma Lasater of Colorado; and his sister, Marie Denny of Iowa.

Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Beverly Joyce (Shipley) Lasater; his son, David Lasater and his wife Roberta of Georgia; his daughter, Lisa Lasater Graves and her husband Tolly of California; his five grandchildren, Brandon Lasater (Paige), Zachary Lasater, Spencer Lasater, Nicholas Graves, and Sarah Graves; his dearest friends, Wade and Ruth Bishop, John Holliday, and Lynn Guardia; and siblings, Mary Lasater of Colorado, Steven Lasater (Shelly) of Missouri, and Stanley Lasater of Alaska

Memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, can be made in lieu of flowers.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021, at Riemann Family Funeral Home in Gulfport, with a visitation for family and friends from 12:00 p.m. until the service begins.  Interment with honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Biloxi National Cemetery.