Harkrader, Samuel Ray
Samuel Ray Harkrader 71, of Christiansburg, passed away on July 11, 2020. He was the youngest son of Brown Peery and Ada Harkrader, born on July 27, 1948.
Sam graduated in 1966 from Christiansburg High School, with honors, a member of the Key Club and the Blue Demons football team. He enlisted in the Air Force and trained as an engine technician on F-4 fighters. He served in Vietnam from 1969-1970, and completed his service as a Staff Sergeant in 1972.
After returning from Vietnam, Sam firmly planted his roots in Christiansburg, VA. He simply wanted to be around his family and cherished friends. He later joined the General Electric Company at the Salem, VA plant until his retirement in 2010. Sam loved to go to his cabin at Mt. Rogers and shared many of his happiest times with friends there.
Honesty and integrity best describe Sam. If you wanted a special friend, he was there with his humor and encouragement.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, ‘Mr. Peery.’ He is survived by two nieces, Catherine Terry (John), and Julia Rose (Jeff), and their families.
Heaven has received a wonderful man full of laughter and smiles.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020, from 10-11 a.m. at Horne Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 11 a.m. in the Chapel, with interment following in Sunset Cemetery.
July 18, 2020 @ 9:29 pm
My names is Dianna and I am a cook at English Meadows. I just wanted to tell you, his family that I loved Sam so much!! He was always so sweet and so funny! Such a caring guy, He loved my granddaughter Holli and would ask me all the time, “how is Teeni Weenie. Lol. . Then about a year ago I got a German Shepherd, Maddie, and I would take her to see Sam. He would get so excited and say Omg she is so big. He loved her and asked for a picture of her. You will probably find it in his room. After I got her, every time he saw me he would say “bow -wow, doggie doggie. He was crazy over her. I miss him so much, he was just such a nice person, also, I don’t know if you knew Kristin ( my daughter) who is one of the nurses there, but her and I cried and cried when we heard the news. I know nothing can compare to the love you all had for him but I hope you can find comfort in knowing that he had so many friends at EM who loved him dearly! From the bottom of my heart I send my condolences to all of you! He will be missed!