Lawrence Gail “Sam” Hulse, Brookville, Pa, passed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, March 19, 2014, surrounded by family and the caring staff at Jefferson Manor.
Born Feb. 23, 1927 to Samuel and Vera Mae (Himes) Hulse of Arnold PA., Sam married Marilyn Joan McHenry December 29, 1950, his lifelong-long best friend and beloved wife for 62 years, until her death in 2012.
Instrumental in organizing a union at Unilec, Sam was a dedicated lineman, meter reader and crew boss for 38 years. He took extra outages because he never wanted to see anyone without power.
Quitting school in 1945 to join the Navy, Sam served two years as a pilot on a Landing Ship Medium (LSM). Afterwards, he worked in a plate glass factory in Pittsburgh until securing a brush crew position with Unilec. Together with his wife, the couple built their own home, following instructions from a book, and he also added rooms to trailers on other family members’ homes, while spending hours gardening and landscaping the property. After that, he enjoyed building anything he could, short of an ark. He made Home Repairs popular before HG TV, at least at Hulse’s Hilltop Haven on Hughey Road, Brookville. Sam determinedly earned his GED in the late 60′s, while also providing for their family of four boys and daughter.
Traveling in their van for months at a time, the couple made many cross-country trips, enjoying State Parks everywhere, a favorite being Prince Gallitzin, sometimes with family. They had fun traveling to locate covered bridges all over Ohio, Pa, and West Virginia.
Sam and Marilyn were involved with their church family at Zion UMC on Sigel Road. For several years, Sam was Sunday School Superintendant, teacher, and janitor. A self-taught guitarist, he and his wife were invited to sing and share in many area churches.
Preceding him in death are his parents, wife, three brothers, John, Charles, and Herbert, two sisters, Katherine and Doris, two still born twins, and a precious niece, Peggy Varner. He is survived by his older brother, Donald Hulse of Clarion, and five children, Daniel Clair, Robert Gail, Robin Dale, Timothy Paul, and Jamz Dean Hulse, their spouses, fifteen beloved grandchildren, ten cherished great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Our family is celebrating the life of our big-hearted Papa who is now in heaven with his wife (our mother) perfectly healed and healthy and enjoying the presence of his dear Lord and Savior along with all his friends and family who have gone on before him. For this we are eternally thankful.
A Memorial Service will be held at Saturday, March 29 at 2 pm at Zion UMC on the Sigel Road, Route 36, Brookville, Pa.
Memorial donations may be made to the Zion UMC – 8666 Rt. 949 Sigel, Pa. 15860.