Obituary of Samuel Baderdeen

Samuel Arthur Baderdeen March 19, 1942 – October 27, 2024 Samuel A. “Sam” Baderdeen of Matlock died at Mason General Hospital with his loving family surrounding him on October 27, 2024. He was born in Springfield, Missouri to Clifford and Mary Belle (Nasieff) Baderdeen on March 19, 1942. With two younger brothers in quick succession, Clyde and Jimmy, their colorful childhood stories sound like shenanigans out of Huckleberry Finn. A baby sister, Martha Jean, joined the bunch later. Clifford was a power lineman, so the family moved frequently, but they always returned to Greene County, Missouri. Having to attend so many different schools and prove himself to others shaped Sam’s personality. As a kid, he was a star baseball player, scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals before his family moved to Puyallup, Washington when he was in high school. Sam lied about his age to join the Army in 1959; he turned 17 while flying from Fort Lewis, Washington to basic training in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. A “Screaming Eagle” with the 101st Airborne Division, he swore the Army changed the trajectory of his life from a “young punk kid” to a determined young man. As a paratrooper, Sam would sign up for extra jumps so he could earn more grocery money. He proudly wore his airborne hat until his last day. That same year, Sam married Vicki Martin and they had two sons together, Sammy and Danny. The family moved back to Tacoma where Sam joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 82. He was a proud union member for almost 60 years. Sam loved his profession as a plumber, especially when training apprentices. He even nudged a few friends and family to join the union with him. Craving a more rural life, Sam eventually moved his young family to Home, Washington, where they lived on Joe’s Bay and he enjoyed raising Arab horses for a time. Sam and Vicki would both go on to remarry. In 1974, Sam married Noreen Bledsoe. The couple just celebrated 50 years on September 21, which was very important to Sam. Along with the marriage came Noreen’s mother, Bertha, and her 8-year-old brother, Darrin, who became what Sam called his “third son.” In 1980, Sam and Noreen would welcome their daughter, Lori, completing the family. He may have been small in stature, but Sam was a force, his laugh could be heard for miles. The proud Evergreen State transplant was forever mesmerized by the Olympic Mountains. He traversed countless trails throughout with his hiking buddies, making sure his children and a few grandchildren experienced it too. Sam enjoyed instilling a love of nature in the young. He was in awe of the fact he was able to see places that few people would. He would joke that the Cascade Mountains were tough, sure, but you had to be a real hiker to make it through the Olympics. Sam was able to purchase land in the foothills of his beloved mountains. While working on the Satsop Power Plant, he stumbled upon Matlock, and in 1981 he talked his mother and brother into purchasing acreage with him on Decker Creek. This would be where the Baderdeen family would gather for the next 40 years. The 4th of July weekends were legendary. Having his extended family gathered on his beautiful land brought Sam such comfort, knowing that he was leaving a legacy for them. As the eldest child, he took his role as the patriarch seriously. Absolutely nothing meant more to Sam than his family. Many turned to “Uncle Sam” for wisdom and advice. He was straightforward and to the point. With a tinge of a southern accent, Sam had some quirky sayings that everyone who was close to him has heard. “Keep it simple,” was his life motto. He adored children, and he excelled at being a Papa. He would get down on the ground and roughhouse with his grandsons as long as his body allowed. In 1994, Sam moved Noreen and Lori from Tacoma to Matlock, building his dream log home. He got a kick out of rooting on the kids at Mary M. Knight sporting events, and poking at the refs. Forever a sports fanatic, he had University of Washington Husky season tickets for years, and there was always a game on the TV. In his retirement, Sam enjoyed meeting friends for coffee, golfing, picking wild blackberries and mushrooms, clam digging, traveling, caring for his grandchildren and making his family creations in his wood shop. An avid reader and American history buff, he was forever a Missour-uh boy, and Harry Truman remained his favorite president. Sam spent his last summer riding his quad down to his treasured Decker Creek with his dog, Tex. Nestled under the evergreens, at the water’s edge, he would sit on a self-built wooden porch swing and listen to the birds while his dog swam. “I’ve jumped out of airplanes and dove to the bottom of the ocean, I’ve lived a full life.” Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter, Eva, and his dear companion, Blue dog. He is survived by his beloved wife, Noreen Baderdeen; his sons, Sammy (Brenda) and Danny (Paige) Baderdeen, and bonus son Darrin (Kathleen) Bledsoe; his daughter, Lori (Joe) Larson; grandsons, Dan, Matt, Sam, Max, and Leo; granddaughter, Ashley; great-grandchildren, Weston, Kylee and River; brothers Jimmy (Shirley) Baderdeen and Clyde Gilmore; sister, Martha (Dan) Lynch; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he adored. No services are currently scheduled.