crapflinger2000 1 #1 August 22, 2003 I am deeply saddened to say that Sammy Thistle passed away last night. For those of you that knew him, please PM me for more information (note, this was not skydiving related). For those of you that did not know him, Sammy was a very colorful person, a former Green Beret and man with a big heart. He was a tandem and AFF jumpmaster, and as of late was living in North Carolina. Condolances to Sammy's family and friends and all who knew him. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #2 August 22, 2003 I've got some good stories of Sammy. As does Garrick too. He was damn good skydiver. And as Garrick mentioned above he had a huge huge heart. Sammy if you can hear me, rest in peace bro, rest in peace... Blue skies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #3 August 22, 2003 You have absolutely got to be shitting me..........I taught him how to skydive quite a long time ago at the Green Beret Parachute Club. I still have pictures of him (and Rodney Cruce) in yellow double zipper jumpsuits. Unfuckingbelievable. I, too, have some very colorful stories about Sammie for those who "really" knew him and called him friend. BSBD, Chuck Blue Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #4 August 22, 2003 No shit!!! He taught AFF @ my dz for the whole time I've been there. Suddenly he left AND NOW HE'S GONE!! That's crazy!! he was such an awsome, awsome man - gave the BEST hugs & back rubs. such a great dude!! he will be terribly missed, thoughts to his loved ones. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #5 August 22, 2003 Funeral will be this Monday at his parent's place in Apex, NC, just outside of Raleigh. He will be cremated and it's the family's wish that his ashes be spread over a dropzone, preferably Monterey, with Raeford as a second choice. His brother will be logging on here directly with more information. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #6 August 22, 2003 Thank you. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #7 August 22, 2003 Me too. I even have some video. Steph even dated him briefly. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #8 August 22, 2003 *sigh*... Blue skies Sammy...My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsalnukt 1 #9 August 23, 2003 "it's all good" Take care bro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #10 August 23, 2003 Sammy and I saw Dave Matthews in 1999 at Shoreline. We didn't have tickets, so we tried to find somebody selling. Some guys pops out of a hidden door in the blue wall with a backstage pass and a fistful of tickets for section 103 (Front/left). Don't remember what we paid, but it wasn't bad. Great concert. IIRC Sammy's fav song was "Satellite". I guess he's in permanent orbit now. If they need help setting up an ash jump or demo or whatever, I'll be glad to help. I'm unfortunately getting lots of experience with these events. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #11 August 23, 2003 I am totally shocked. My thoughts and prayers to Sam's family. We knew him well while he was at Fort Bragg & Raeford Parachute Center. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TalbertGK4 0 #12 August 23, 2003 If you were lucky enough to call Sam your friend you know what a genuinely loyal person he was. Go easy bro "Is that Sammy Thistle in the house? My ni%$a! Get your ass over here!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #13 August 23, 2003 Well, talk about coincidences. I found the video of Sammy's 3000th jump. I went all the way back to the beginning to see if the video flyer got himself in it - none other than Johnny Luv Horton. On the jump was Sammy, Garth Harley, Sebazz, Natty, Randy Frazier, Jim McCormick, Steph, and me. Pix are attached. I'll post video if I can get a good balance of quality/file size. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #14 August 23, 2003 More pix... (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #15 August 23, 2003 Last pix... (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #16 August 23, 2003 I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sammy. We sort of "grew up" together at Raeford and I will always consider him a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Tim Tennant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #17 August 25, 2003 Peter, thanks for posting those. Saved 'em all. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #18 August 25, 2003 Chris Talbert, Matt Davidson and I just got back from the funeral a bit ago. There were people there from all phases of his life, both friend and relative. It was sort of eerie meeting his brother, Scott; he looks and talks a LOT like Sammy. Anyway, people stepped forward and told little tales of their experiences with him. Stories from his aunt and uncle about him growing up. Stories from SF buddies. A story from a skydiver. A story from an ex-girlfriend. I am very glad I made it up there. I taught Sammy to skydive when he was in the SFQC, over at the Green Beret club. He, like me, ended up really loving to teach skydiving to others. I had lost contact with him several times over the years, but we never skipped a beat when we ran into each other. I really liked him. He was great at giving credit where credit was due and always had fabulous stories of his latest exploits. I miss him. Peace, Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoShitThereIWas 0 #19 August 26, 2003 Blue Skies Sammy. Randy Frazier and I are putting together a video for Sammy's family. If anyone would like to add to it please let me know. That would be something nice to give his Mom. I have some great footage of Sammy, lots of it in the wind tunnel at Fort Bragg and lots of jumps with him on video. He was the All American Boy with a lot of talent. We'll miss him. We will do an ash dive for Sammy in Monterey. Those interested in being there, PM me. Blue skies.Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoShitThereIWas 0 #20 August 26, 2003 Wow, Sammy and Johnny Luv all in one sitting. Sigh ... Thanks for the pictures Peter. Some of those Sammy pictures really captured his charisma.Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jb092 0 #21 December 1, 2003 I really hate to bring this post back up, but I met Sam in 95, and just saw this thread today. This is the first I have heard about this can someone please let me know what happened to him. My personal email is jb120@hotmail.com, I am very saddened from this news, I did call him a friend and info would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Jack What could possibly go wrong? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrslowry 0 #22 January 22, 2005 I'm hugely sorry to say that I found out about Sammy's death here last night. He was a great pal of mine while we were both at Ft. Lewis. I had decided to look him up and did a web search. Would you please email me off-list and tell me what happened? I'm heartbroken, but know that Sam is now God's Jumpmaster, probably giving angels crap about how they fly. Thanks, Dorothy Stahlman Lowry Dalowry@adelphia.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
