Samuel Murray Learned, Jr.

Samuel Murray Learned, Jr., 79, of Morganton died Monday, October 5, 2015. Born September 17, 1936 to Caroline Bill Learned and Samuel Learned, was raised in Irondale, Washington and Phoenix, Arizona. Sam graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and served in the United States Army, honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1963.
After working in private engineering, Sam graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School in 1973 and practiced law as a patent attorney in York, Pennsylvania. Post retirement, Sam was a master smoking-pipe carver.
Sam was a 32nd degree mason and member of the York Masonic Lodge #226 of Free and Accepted Masons. Sam loved nature and spent his lifetime gardening, hunting and fishing. Sam was an avid herbalist and loved foraging the woods and mountains wherever he was. His hobbies included woodworking, building and the arts.
Sam is survived by his wife, Sally Tarler Learned of the home; children, Nicole Learned Steranka and husband, Adrian, of Littleton, CO and Samuel Learned and wife, Amy, of Beaver Creek, OH; step-daughters, Caroline Gandy and husband, Williams, of Boone, NC and Jennifer Poteat and husband, Jordan Ellis, of Greenville, NC; brothers, Howard Learned, of Port Hadlock, WA and Douglas Learned, of Elmyra, NY; and grandchildren, Abigail and Liam.
A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2015 at St. Mary's and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with a reception to follow in the church parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you plant a tree or make a donation in Sam's memory to a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to especially thank Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and Sam's exceptional care team Patricia, Regina, and Michelle.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.