Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and confidant, Samuel (Sam) F. Raby, age 70, passed away after his courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family and friends, on September 8, 2023.
He was born September 2, 1953 in Boise, Idaho, the second of four children, to Sammy J. Raby and Begona “Bea” Eiguren. He graduated from Carbon High School in Price, UT – Class of 1971.
Sam became a staple in the Carbon County community, where he left his mark in countless positive ways. He started his early career in the coal mining industry working for the Peabody Mine, subsequently known as the Deer Creek Mine. He later obtained his commercial drivers license and worked in the coal transportation industry for Nickas, Western Coal, and Kerwin Jensen Trucking. During and prior to this time, he was getting his feet wet in the artistry of taxidermy with the comically stuffed bird that he and his friend Dave Karcich created in 1968. While working to provide for his young family, he continued to expand his taxidermy business, and during his 50-year career, he was able to turn it into one of the very best in the Western United States. His creativity knew no boundaries as he invented his own recipe to enhance his taxidermy work with the addition of a hair-on-fur tannery for his own business as well as approximately 100 other taxidermists. His most recent accomplishment in the taxidermy trade was his development of the swing arm and hanging/mounting features for enhanced display & beautification of the taxidermy artwork.
Sam was an active member of the Wellington Mountaineer’s Riding Club where he and fellow members enjoyed all aspects of horsemanship, pack trips, rodeo, and many other equine related activities. He was also involved with many associations through the years including the Utah Taxidermist Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International.
Sam loved the outdoors and all it had to offer. He was an active archery and rifle hunter and hunted many species. He was able to accomplish one of his dreams of visiting South Africa (Namibia) for an enthralling hunting safari with a second visit to instruct and train the local African taxidermists. He enjoyed fishing in his early years and rekindled that love with Debbie. His enthusiasm for outdoor activities included hunting, trapping, fishing, horse packing & riding, hiking, camping, and enjoying many ATV & UTV rides with his friends and family. Upon the completion of his chemo treatments, he and Debbie had just begun their retirement adventures with the purchase of their new toy hauler travel trailer (Homer) with two trips, one to Yellowstone and the second to Fish Lake.
Sam is survived by the love of his life, Debbie Sneed, she fought diligently alongside him during his battle with cancer, through the good times and the bad; his sisters, Kaylene (Dennis) Pearson, Gaylene (Gary) Nelson; sons, Travis Raby, Dolan (Jessica) Raby; nieces and nephews, Kelly Brinkerhoff, Aric (Kellie) Nelson, Ashley Nelson Sacks, Chandler (Lieren) Pearson, Tyler (Morgan) Nelson, Meagan (Matt) Legerski; grandchildren, Tyona (Cody) Ellison, Cierra (Alex) Zufelt, Damon (Kassidi) Raby, Korvin Raby, Kahner Raby, Alex Long, Stetson Long, Carson Long, Cash Long, and Savannah Rose Raby; including 5 great-grandchildren.
Sam is preceded in death by his parents, Sammy J. Raby and Begona Raby, and an infant brother, Joseph Raby, and daughter-in-law Amanda V. Maddox.
The family would like to express special thanks to those who took care of Sam during his treatments in his final days at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. Doctor E. Sorenson and the medical team were extremely compassionate and responsive to all of Sam’s needs.
In lieu of flowers, Sam expressed that he would like to have donations made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation; where donations can be made at t2t.org.
Funeral services for Sam will be Friday, September 15, 2023, 12:00 noon, at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price, UT. Vigil service, Thursday evening, 7:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Thursday evening and Friday one hour prior to the services. Committal service, Cliffview Cemetery in Price.