Helm Byron Burch, aka “Sam or Sammy”, age 81 of Garrett, passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Sam spent years at Jeff Boat in Jeffersonville, IN and 14 years at the Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville, KY. There is where he met his wife, Frances. But farming was in his blood and he made a life of it.
Sam was born at home to Romy Preston and Ruth Evelyn Sipes Burch on March 8, 1943. After meeting the love of his life, Frances, he married her in Lafollette, TN, on July 23, 1981 and then again at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Flaherty, KY, on December 2, 2012. He spoiled Frances. He didn’t care where she went or how long she stayed on trips, as long as he didn’t have to go. He was definitely a home body.
Sam was always ready to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors; but he was reluctant to accept help in return. As anyone can tell you, he was very particular about how everything looked at the home place. Cutting the grass so often that the neighbor asked the grandson-in-law to tell him to quit cutting it as often because it was making him look bad. Each piece of wood would be counted when loaded on a wagon and recounted as he stacked it meticulously in the barn. He was a good snapper of green beans; again counting each one he snapped.
He did take time away from farming to let his daughter take the Ford F-150 up on the back hill with a friend to practice driving. All the while, watching the dirt flying as she spun around and listened to the music blaring on the radio.
He also secretly loved animals. All the time pretending not to like them. We would catch him petting them when he thought no one was looking. Before 2012, there were no animals in the house. Then there was a dog. And in the last three years he let three cats come in. But his best buddy was Peppé who stayed by his side to the end.
Mr. Burch is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Frances; a daughter, Lorena (Daniel) Kochersperger; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Romy and Ruth Evelyn Burch; three brothers, Joe Pat, James and Howard “Tip” Burch.
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 and from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Chism Family Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM, Tuesday at the chapel of Chism Family Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Flaherty, KY with Father Thomason officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Martin Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Meade County FFA c/o Noel Pack, 938 Old State Road, Brandenburg, KY 40108
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