Colonel (Retired) Samuel R. “Sam” Young, of Lansing, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
Sam was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on November 27, 1946, to Samuel W. and Nina J. (Shoaf) Young. He was a 1965 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, with the class of 1969.
After college, he taught at Cascade High School in Clayton, IN, before he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Indiana Army National Guard in 1972. Among his many assignments, he commanded a battery in 3-139 Field Artillery, commanded the 138th Finance unit when they mobilized in 1991 to support Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and was integral in starting the Indiana Army National Guard’s Ceremonial Unit. A proud graduate of the U.S. Army War College, he retired from the Indiana National Guard in 2002 with more than 30 years of service.
After his military retirement, Sam spent over a year in Afghanistan working as a resource management consultant with the Afghan Ministry of Defense. He and Ella then relocated to Lansing, KS, in 2006 where Sam worked for the U.S. Army’s Center for Lessons Learned before his second retirement in 2013. During this time, he was also active as a living history reenactor at Ft. Larned, KS, he participated with the Fort Leavenworth Hunt Club, and he volunteered as a saddler with Culver Military Academy’s Black Horse Troop. Sam was extremely proud of his time supporting the Cavalry Association at Ft. Reno, OK, and served for over 10 years as the editor for The Cavalry Journal, where he was dedicated to keeping alive the history of horse cavalry for future generations. A man of strong faith, he was very involved in the church his whole life, which for the past 20 years has been the Pioneer Chapel at Ft. Leavenworth.
He was a dedicated life member of many organizations, including the American Legion, the Military Officers’ Association of America, the 38th Infantry Division Association, the United States Cavalry Association, and The Citadel Alumni Association. Sam was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Crawfordsville for over 50 years, where he volunteered with DeMolay.
Sam was a talented trumpet player all of his life. He was most proud of his service as a volunteer with Bugles Across America, playing “Taps” at hundreds of military funerals and other ceremonies regardless of the weather or time of year. Even as health issues began to limit him, he selflessly ensured families of deceased service members received the highest care and honors.
A lifelong historian and teacher, Sam enjoyed getting to know people, playing cards, and telling stories for hours. A recipient of numerous awards and recognitions throughout his life, Sam was most proud of his family and his contributions helping others.
He married Ella C. Bloomer on December 20, 1967, who survives. Sam and Ella have two sons, Eric (Leslie) of Virginia, and Brian (Sue) of Texas, and two grandchildren, Kai and Tim, who all survive. He is also survived by his sister Patricia and brother-in-law Larrie Patton, as well as many loved and cherished nieces and nephews and their families. Sam was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home in Leavenworth, KS. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Sam’s name to either Bugles Across America or The Deeper Window Association.