James Samuel ""Pastor Sam"" Herd

Pastor James Samuel Herd, better known as Pastor Sam, was born September 17, 1924 to Oscar and Esther Herd in Tulare, California, and passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior December 3, 2013. After high school graduation, Pastor Sam served in the Army Signal Corps as a civilian and then was drafted into the US Army. During his three years of service in the World War II era, he was placed in an anti-aircraft artillery unit and also the Advanced Radio/Radar school, receiving an honorable discharge from the US Army/Air Force. He was married to Adria Sweazy in June of 1946 and they had four children together. Pastor Sam attended Los Angeles Baptist College and served as a youth minister and also served as an assistant pastor in Southern California. He was called to serve as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Susanville, California and moved his family there in 1957, being ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1958. After leaving Susanville ten years later, he became involved in and served in ministry opportunities through administration of skilled nursing homes, ownership of an ambulance service and also interim pastorates, helping to rebuild churches without pastors. He then was called to pastor Faith Baptist Church and School in Hemet, California. After moving to Oregon in 1989 to be near family, he was the primary caregiver to Adria during her illness, until her passing in 1993. He attended Oregon Polytechnic Institute for computers and electronics and graduated with an AS degree in 1994. Sam married Dolores Nelson in July, 1995, and they resided in Portland. He later served as pastor of Heritage Baptist Church for 5 years. Pastor Sam was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, remained the number one priority until his last breath. Always keenly interested in all things electronic, he was always investigating and often enjoying the latest gadgets. His wonderful and fun-loving sense of humor shone through in most situations he encountered. Pastor Sam\u0027s family and friends will miss him greatly, but we are confident and resting in the knowledge that he is home in Glory with our wonderful Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Herd; mother, Esther Herd; sister, Helen Jones; brother, Oscar Herd, Jr.; wife, Adria Herd; son, Lennis Herd; and grandson, Michael Herd. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Herd, of Portland; son, James Herd and wife Karen of Dixon, Montana; son, Milton Herd and wife Barbara of Portland, Oregon; daughter, Adria Myers and husband David of Kenai, Alaska; Sharon Herd of Spokane, Washington; Sandra Prewitt and husband Paul of Newberg, Oregon; and Mark and Devi Nelson of Troutdale, Oregon. He is also survived by grandchildren, Stephenie, Donna, and Lennis Herd, Jr; Rebecca, Timothy, and Daina Herd; Ryan, Ashley, and Samuel Myers; Andrea and Ashley Prewitt; Tabitha, Tatiana, Talina, and Titus Nelson; and many great grandchildren."",