Samuel Clair Cheuvront

It is with sadness and great reverence that we announce the passing of Samuel Clair Cheuvront of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Coraopolis, PA, on December 23rd, 2024. He was 90 years old. 

Samuel was born in Sewickley, PA on July 8, 1934 to the late George Washington Cheuvront and Florence Esther Graver. He grew up with four sisters, and, as the only boy in the family, he took it upon himself at a very young age to help his mother provide for the family. Sam was very active in a number of high school clubs and proved also to be quite an athlete. When he wasn’t singing with the Mixed Chorus or Boys’ Sextette or dancing the Charleston in the May Day celebration, he was aweing fans on the track or football field. Sam’s skills as halfback awarded him this poetic ode beside his senior picture in the Moon High School, 1953 edition of the Flame: “When Sam’s on the field, we have nothing to fear; For he’s surely athletic and fast as a deer.” Upon graduation, Sam enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served honorably in the 5th Mule Train Squadron-Korea. On June 24, 1961, Sam married the love of his life, Juliann Cara Wadsworth. Their union resulted in three children and 63 years of marriage. At the end of his Active Duty, Sam transitioned to the Air National Guard and retired in 1992 after 40 years of service. 

Sam and Juliann moved to Concord, NC in 1997 and remained in the Charlotte area until his death.

In his younger years, Sam enjoyed vacations to the mountains, flea markets and auctions. As he grew older, he opted for coin collecting and feeding the birds and squirrels, going as far as to sit and unshell a variety of nuts so the squirrels wouldn’t have to work so hard.

His lifelong passions included BlueGrass music. At one point, he had a very impressive vinyl collection and attended many BlueGrass festivals in the mountains of North Carolina with Juliann by his side.

Sam was a huge fan of fishing or "drowning worms" as he liked to say. He had a collection of poles, hooks, baits and lures that he kept organized and always ready to go. Two of his favorite spots were in Tionesta, PA and Lake Lure, NC. It was a personal challenge but also had a lot to do with the deep chats that would accompany the wait for the "big one."

He was also an avid reader, opting often for books about the paranormal and the unknown. His fascination left all his children with a firm belief in the existence of BigFoot and the Loch Ness Monster as well as the lingering question: What’s really out there?

If you were in Sam’s inner circle, you had a nickname— sometimes several. If you were really lucky, there was also a little song that went along with it. He monikered himself, Samuel I.Q. Jones. He was the loudest and happiest morning person ever and could captivate an audience with stories of his life and adventures, often being hilarious without even trying. He put peanut butter on just about anything. He loved a good pair of boots and kept all of his shoes and boots impeccably shined. He claimed proudly to be a "country boy" at heart. At Halloween, he dressed up as something different every year to hand out candy to the neighborhood children, once going full Elvis. He loved a good cup of coffee and putting his feet up in his big gray comfy chair.

Without a doubt, his greatest joy was his family, and he was never happier than when everyone was together, eating, laughing and having fun. His example of honesty, loyalty and sacrifice will live on as those of us left behind attempt to emulate the life of this wonderful man.

Besides his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his sisters Katherine Ostapchenko, Elizabeth Parrish and Bertha Roebeck.

Sam is survived by his wife Juliann, three grateful children, Timothy Cheuvront (Lori) Harrisburg, NC, Juliann Zinsner Huntersville, NC, Samuel Cheuvront (Melinda) Franklin, MA, 8 Grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, sister Florence Hawkins Venice, FL, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends from throughout the years as well as a number of four legged friends he loved dearly.

Arrangements are being handled by Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC. A private service with full military honors will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Sam’s wish was for support to be directed to The Wounded Warriors Project or The Humane Society of the U.S..