IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Sam Dial
Services for Marion High School graduate Sam Eugene Dial, 51, Newton, who tragically left this world because of a car accident Jan. 27, 2025, will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Smith Family Mortuary Chapel, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby.
Sam was born Jan. 28, 1973, in Wichita to Sharon Kristine Maples and Dale Wayne Dial both of whom preceded him in death.
While his life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest throughout his many journeys, and his loss will be forever remembered in the many lives across the entire world that he impacted along the way.
Sam graduated from Marion High School in 1992 and spent some time after at Butler Community College, where he played football and track. He then returned to Wichita to work at MCI, where he met several lifelong friends.
In October 2000, Sam graduated with honors and in the top 5% from basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was then stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, for his full five years of service in the Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment.
He was part of the “tip of the spear” during Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2002 and came home with multiple medals.
Sam retired from his service to our country in 2005, at which time he returned to Mulvane to raise his three amazing children and be close to family and friends who meant the most to him.
Everywhere Sam went, he gained friends along the way because he truly was a genuine, caring man who would share his last dollar with a complete stranger who needed his help.
Sam was very competitive and enjoyed playing board games and video gaming with an expansive community, where he logged 11,000-plus hours mainly playing Counterstrike.
He loved the Jacksonville Jaguars and KU sports.
Sam also loved the outdoors, doing farm work, walks, playing golf, traveling, seeing new places, and gardening. He was always curious and was a passionate student of the Bible, astrology, gems, coin collecting, and the unknown.
No matter where Sam’s life led him, he made many friends, and he will be dearly missed by more than we can list.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale Wayne Dial and Sharon Maples, and brother Christian Peterson.
Sam is survived by wife Camille Dial; children Morgan Dial, Madalyn Dial, Alexander Dial, and Macyn Allen; siblings Brandy Dial, Zechariah Peterson (and wife Kathryn), and Misti Baker (and husband Bo); numerous nieces and nephews; and stepfathers William Peterson and Sid Wasemiller
The family kindly asks that donations in memory of Sam Dial be directed towards his children. Please make checks payable to Camille Dial.