Garland Samuels

Garland Samuels, age 93, of Asheville NC died on Thursday, May 24, 2018, following a stroke.

Garland was born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  He attended the University of Arkansas for two years before joining the army during World War II.  Following his discharge, he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas and Iowa State University.

While at Iowa State, Garland met his wife, Marie Heider, who was also in graduate school.  Following graduation, the couple moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Garland worked in design and development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) until his retirement in 1987.  Garland retired early to pursue his interests in travel and duplicate bridge.  He and his wife traveled to all 50 states plus parts of Canada.  He was an active member of the Oak Ridge Bridge Club before moving to the Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville in 2012.

Garland was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, his son William, and his daughter Jane.  He is survived by sister Jill McKenney of Albuquerque NM; son David Samuels of Oak Ridge; daughters Ann Wright (David Wright) of Asheville, Mary Samuels (Joe Catellani) of Bellingham WA, and Kathy Crabb (Chuck Crabb) of Royersford PA; daughter-in-law Vickie Samuels; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

At Garland’s request, there will be no funeral service.  A private burial will be held in Oak Ridge.  Condolences can be made to the family online at www.ashevillemortuaryservices.com.

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