Obituary

Sam Elliot Dare was born on February 21, 2006, in Baltimore. From his arrival, Sam meant to be heard. An early talker with so much to say, his voice was low and scratchy, and always ready to share stories, jokes, and facts. A family friend once remarked that Sam as a toddler could hold an adult conversation and sounded like he had a bourbon and a cigar along the way.

With his infectious energy and Tigger bounce, love of learning and reading anything he could find, and enthusiasm for making friends and being silly, Sam thrived in school. During his early years, Sam played soccer, basketball, baseball, Tae Kwon Do, swimming, and gymnastics in Catonsville and then Ellicott City, Maryland. He was an active cub scout. He relocated with his family to Cary, North Carolina in third grade.

Throughout his life, Sam always demonstrated kindness and care for others, whether selling lemonade at 5 years old to help raise money for a special wheelchair for his little cousin, assisting classmates, or helping someone at the public library work a computer to apply for a job. He knew right from wrong and wasn’t afraid to speak up.

Sam loved sports – including his beloved Orioles, Green Bay Packers, and Duke basketball. During the pandemic Sam started to play golf, a sport that he planned to play, improve upon, and enjoy throughout his life.

Sam was a rising senior at Green Hope high school, a member of the Green Hope Falcon, the student news organization; Mock Trial, Environmental Science Club, and the National Honor Society. He was an active member in Young Men’s Service League, a mother and son service organization, most recently, as president of the junior class. Sam’s favorite organizations to volunteer for were Special Olympics, NC Senior Games, and Miracle League where he enjoyed watching athletes compete and succeed in their chosen sports. He also attended Lochmere Golf Club’s Thursday Night Men’s 9-Hole League. Sam was a loyal friend, with a great sense of humor, and an avid video game player.

Sam’s favorite place was the mountains and he enjoyed hiking and finding the best sunsets and views.

Sam loved his family in all of their volume, eccentricity, debates, game-playing, and humor. Although he was unexpectedly taken from us on July 14, 2023, he will be remembered and cherished by his parents Jennifer and Mike, his brother Henry, sister Margaret, grandparents Gretchen and David Meyer, Janice and David Dare; Uncle Matt Meyer, Aunt Kelly Dare and Uncle Steve Heuer, cousins, and his entire extended family and close friends.

Although your life was too short, you made an impact on so many. You will always be in our hearts and on our minds. We love you, Sam.

Sam’s Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 19th at Genesis United Methodist Church located at 850 High House Rd. Cary, NC 27513. We are asking that everyone bring a canned or non-perishable food item for donation to a local food bank in Sam’s honor. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to or volunteering with these organizations in Sam’s name:

Special Olympics North Carolina: https://support.specialolympics.org/a/give-in-your-state?state=nc

North Carolina Senior Games: https://www.ncseniorgames.org/contribute

Miracle League of the Triangle: https://www.mltriangle.com/sponsor/