Samuel Adam McMasters, 43

Samuel Adam McMasters, son of Mariko and Daniel McMasters, was born at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Ga., on June 27, 1965. Moving with his family to California in 1968, he spent his childhood and teenage years in San Bernadino, graduating from San Gorgonio High School in 1982.

He supported himself through several service jobs while pursuing his interest in art, perfecting his skills, and beginning his extensive comic book collection.

In the winter of 1991, he joined his parents in Kalispell. He was first employed as an illustrator for a local publisher. One of his accomplishments was illustrating the children's book, "Dentasaurus," designed to ease a child's fear of dentistry. Later employment led him to jobs in several local casinos, where his honest work ethic and engaging personality allowed him to make many lasting friendships.

An unexpected heart illness in 1999 resulted in major surgery in Missoula, followed by a complete recovery. Recently the problem recurred, and he was airlifted from St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, where he died from complications on Aug. 20, 2008.

Everyone who knew him and loved him will miss his happy nature and cheerful smile.

Sam is survived by his loving parents, Mariko and Daniel, of Columbia Falls; his sister, Jane, in Billings; and brother, James, in Minnesota; five aunts; an uncle; as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Hokkaido, Japan; and his Aunt Sara and cousins, Ken and Doug, in Lansdale, Pa.

Friends are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell. Rev. Ray Davis will officiate.

Memorials honoring the life of this wonderful man may be made to a church or charity of one's choice.