Tammy M. Sams

With heavy hearts, the Sams Family announces Tammy Sams has started her journey Home on Monday, February 10th 2025. Tammy was born on July 28th, 1956 in Pendleton Oregon to Charles and Ruby Sams, Sr. Tammy grew up in Weston Oregon surrounded by her 8 siblings and parents.  Tammy was enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux of the Fort Peck Tribe, and a Walla Walla and Cayuse descendant of CTUIR.  Tammy attended grade school at Weston and High school at Weston-McEwen, where she excelled in high school sports, Tammy was an All-Star Athlete, she excelled in Basketball and Track & Field, winning State title, in javelin and disc. Tammy graduated in 1975 and received a full educational scholarship to Blue Mountain College to play basketball, where she still holds the title for 50 years for most steals in a season: 82 steals. Tammy was inducted into the CTUIR Hall of Fame in the early 2000 and Weston- McEwen Hall of Fame in 2022.

Tammy was a very kind and gentle soul who brought joy to everyone. Tammy had wonderful qualities of kindness, generosity and compassion.  Tammy had friendships that extended all over the country, she never knew an enemy. She was a friend to all, who would do anything for anybody. Tammy was a devoted Auntie to all her nephews and nieces, including great nephews and nieces, always attending their functions and supporting them in everything they participated in. Tammy was a person of much social wealth and she did things the way she wanted to do them.  Tammy possessed a strong work ethic and worked in the road construction industry for 24 years. Tammy will be deeply missed.

Tammy was preceded in death by her parents Chuck and Ruby Sams, her brothers Butch Sams, John “Sluggo” Sams, Donald Sams, and Jack Sams. Tammy is survived by her daughter Josephine Broncheau of Kamiah ID, life long companion Billie Blackeagle of Kamiah ID, sisters Mary Sams Tester of Walla Walla, WA, Margaret Sams and Sally Sams-Kosey of Pendleton, Georgiann Licht of Albany, OR, her brothers Dave Sams of Thornhollow, OR and Kim Sams of Weston, OR. In addition, to numerous extended family and nephews and nieces. Her family will never forget the love she brought to their lives .

A viewing will be on Wednesday, February 19th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. at Burns Mortuary. At Tammy's request she did not want a formal service. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date to be announced.