Sam was born on December 31, 1947 in Pontiac Michigan, shortly after his parents moved to Tampa, Florida where he was raised.

He enlisted into the United States Army in September of 1965 where he was trained as a cable splicer. He did his tour in Vietnam and Okinawa. He continued that trade when he got out of the service. Sam worked in the Telecommunications industry for 40 years as a subcontractor and worked all over the world. He moved to Kirksville about 18 years ago and retired.

He made a lot of good friends in Kirksville who enjoyed stopping by everyday for coffee and beers.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, (Lorraine & Sam) and brother, David Gaskins.

He is survived by his brother, Larry and his wife Debi of Ava, Missouri, his son, Philip Gaskins and his wife and grandchildren of West Virginia, a half sister Karen Cain of Findlay OH. and many nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by his close friends Joe Epperson, Rick Mason and Mike Davidson.

Family will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Travis Noe Funeral Home, 1008 W. Potter Ave. Kirksville MO. with an escort by The Patriot Guard Riders to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville MO. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. A Military Salute will start at 11:00 AM at the cemetery.