Salem - Sam was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 3, 1972, son of Samuel Allen and Linda Bailey Monroe, father to Andrew, Brison, and Luke, and brother to Brian and Jason. He passed away suddenly on November 9, 2009 in Salem, Oregon. He leaves a rich history of educating those around him on the benefits of health and fitness in both southern California and Oregon through his business and passion, Sam's Downtown Fitness Center where you could always hear him say, "It's never too late to get started!" He attended high school at Saint Bonaventure in Ventura, CA and went to college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA where he also played football. As an athlete, he excelled in football and boxing where he took his boxing to a professional level. His success on the playing field always came back to his hard work ethic in the gym which led to a top three finish in a regional 2001 World’s Strongest Man competition. He loved teaching and coaching others, volunteering at the high school level, working with the local boys and girls clubs and serving as Regional Director for the American Heart Association. He has written numerous fitness advice columns and has done countless fitness question and answer segments on local radio and TV in Bakersfield, CA. and in Salem, OR. Sam also loved Jesus. Sam attended Morningstar Church in Salem where he served as an usher. He loved to write words of encouragement sharing the simple message that God loves you so much that He died on the cross for you to forgive you of your sins. He had a caring way of befriending strangers and a welcoming presence that drew people to him. He never turned down an opportunity to put others first and to lend a helping hand.
Nothing gave Sam greater joy than to show his family his love and how important they were to him. He is survived by his three sons, the pride and joy of his life, Andrew, Brison, and Luke; his mom and dad, Sam and Linda; and his brothers to whom he was always the protective big brother, Brian and his wife Tracie and Jason and his wife Amanda. He is also survived by his uncles and aunts Bill and Anna Monroe, Bill and Susan Bailey, Ronald and Carolyn Bailey, Richard and Shirley Bailey, John Bailey all in North Carolina, and George and Maria Bailey in Florida, He is also survived by his nieces, Lindsay and Megan Monroe and numerous cousins. He will be greatly missed by his fiancée, Mary.
There will be an opportunity to pay respects to Sam and the family Tuesday November 17 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service in Salem from 4-7p.m. There will be a memorial service to celebrate his life on November 18 at 2 pm at Morningstar Church in Salem. A private family grave site service will be held Friday December 4 in Bakersfield, CA. A memorial service will be held Saturday December 5 at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made payable to the Samuel and Linda Monroe Totten Trust (for the benefit of Andrew, Brison, and Luke Monroe) at Chevron Valley Credit Union, 5555 California Ave., Suite 100, Bakersfield, CA 93309.
Remember if you need to exercise or you don't know Jesus, "It's Never Too Late to Get Started".