Samuel Lewis Shoemaker, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife Sylvia on June 16, 2023, after a long period of declining health. Born on September 18, 1943, to Sam Shoemaker and Fanny Ruth “Frisky” Mills, Sammy (as he was known to his many friends) grew up in Archer, Florida where he was a member of the Archer Baptist Church and graduated from Gainesville High School. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and served thirty-three years as a First Responder with the Alachua County Sheriff's Department from which he retired as Captain in June of 2001.

Sammy spent many of his retirement years fishing from his place in Suwannee. Those who know him will appreciate that when asked what he needed just before he passed, he said “Red Fish”.

Sammy was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia and his son Clark. His only surviving family members are his brother, Michael Richard Shoemaker, and his niece Ruby Shoemaker Eagle.

Sammy will always be remembered with love and gratitude by the hundreds of friends he so greatly influenced by his spirit and generosity during his lifetime.