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Times-Picayune Actual Obituary

Samuel John Sara III (1946 - 2019)

Samuel John Sara, III, our beloved "Coach Sara", passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at his home.

Sam was born on October 18, 1946 in New Orleans, Louisiana, spending his 73 years of life in New Orleans, Metairie and Kenner.  He graduated from De La Salle High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.  Sam was a lifelong Saints, Tulane, and Yankees fan.  He proudly served in the Air Force Reserves, last stationed at Ellington AFB.  Sam taught and coached in the Jefferson Parish Public School System for 33 years. 

During his tenure, he started the wrestling programs at Adams Middle School and Grace King High School.  Sam was not a wrestler but accepted the challenge of coaching wrestling.  He became a student of the sport, learning from some of the best in the area and attending national clinics and camps with his wrestlers.  The knowledge and technique repertoire that was constantly expanding was a major part of his success as a wrestling coach, but his "gift" was his special connection to every young man he coached.  Coach Sara could motivate, teach, critique, and discipline with genuine respect and concern for each individual.  He always had the time to listen and help; wrestling related or not; wrestler or just another student, and always with a smile and sense of humor.  His Adams teams enjoyed many parish championships and his Grace King teams were highly competitive in the state of Louisiana, earning a Division II state team title in 1982 and numerous top ten finishes once moving to the Division I level.  Sam was proud of his teams' successes, but his greatest rewards were to see the enduring bonds developed between his wrestlers and to watch them become successful in life.  He was honored to receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award and be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame by the Louisiana Chapter in 2005.  He retired from coaching in 1999 and from teaching in 2005 as his health worsened. 

In his retired years Sam became a terrific gardener, growing tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer and cabbage in the winter.  His declining health then limited him to the house and in the last year, to his bed.  Sam loved life and never quit fighting.  He would light up whenever he had visitors. 

We would like to thank all of you who shared time with him. He was blessed to have all of you throughout his life. 

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Enola Richard Sara and Samuel John Sara, Jr.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Stephanie, his sister, Sandra Engeron Clark (Sonny), his nephew, Ronnie Laporte (Colette), his niece, Monique Brannon (Paul), his great nieces and nephews, Chloe, John, Ben, Luke, and Jack, and so many very dear cousins, extended family, friends, and wrestlers, all of whom he loved with all his heart. 

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass celebrated by Father Paul Clark at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (4337 Sal Lentini Parkway, Kenner, LA) on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at noon.  Visitation at the church will begin at 10:15 a.m. and continue until service time.  Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery (5190 Canal Boulevard, New Orleans, LA).

Sam loved people.  One of his fondest memories was the 2018 gathering with his wrestlers, their families and his family and friends.  To honor him and celebrate his life, another "SaraPalooza" is planned at the training center on Saturday, April 18, 2020 (after wrestling season!).  Coach Sara would love nothing more than to have everyone get together, laugh and be happy as a celebration of his life.  He will be smiling down on the gathering.  Reminders and more details will be posted on Facebook as the event nears.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to your favorite charity or to Louisiana USA Wrestling, 31 Waverly Place, Metairie, LA 70003, to provide scholarships for aspiring wrestlers to attend national clinics and camps.  Everyone is invited to share their thoughts, fond memories and condolences at neptunesociety.com/obituaries.

Published in The Times-Picayune from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2020