Gordon L. "Sammy" Wait, Jr.

Gordon Lee Wait, Jr. Nick name Sammy. Also called Sonny by his immediate family. Born 08-Jan 1936. Died 02-Jan 2021. Six days shy of 85 years old. But not a victim of COVID-19. His last independent activity was doing something he loved, shooting pool.

Eldest son of Gordon Lee and Lena Wait. Oldest brother to Ralph and Dennis. Bread winner for his mom and brothers after his father’s early death. Devoted husband for 60 years to Carole Ann [Costelow] Wait. Father and life counselor to John “Wayne” Wait (Ophelia), Kathleen/Kelly Rushlow (Bill), Patrick Wait (Pat) and Gregory Wait (Marlene). Spoiled his grandchildren Nicole Wait, Cynthia Wait, Ashley Wait (Clint Eastwood) and Kyle Rushlow (Demi). Always wanted more time with his nieces, nephews and cousins. Loved his wife’s side relatives as his own.

Grew up in Macon, Georgia; Kansas City, Missouri; numerous duty stations and ultimately retired in Bellevue, Nebraska.

High school sports athlete, U.S. Navy sailor, UDT candidate, Kansas City Police, U.S. Air Force Tech Sergeant, Vietnam war fighter, retired veteran, G.I. bill college graduate, Metropolitan Technical Community College Director of Public Safety, Nebraska retired, Boy Scout Assistant troop leader, Van driver redistributing grocery store perishable charity donations (food run Wed), Member St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus and Toyota car stock lot driver.

Accomplished pistol shooter, martial artist, hunter, carpenter, league softball pitcher, high average league bowler (senior nationals in Reno), Omaha College World Series season ticket holder, Kansas City Chiefs and Nebraska Huskers fan, NFL/MLB devotee, pool shark, card player, avid reader, old western movies afficionado, jig-saw puzzle master, dog lover, conservative, patriot and devoted Catholic.

Easy going, slow to anger, quick with a smile, always ready to help – but a core of steel that would surprise people. And absolutely no mechanical aptitude.

World class story teller. Gordon never met a stranger. Few could hold their own with him. Numerous cases of ears talked off. Listen carefully, the world is a little quieter without him.