L. Sam Pappas, 86, of Flagstaff Arizona, passed away on August 31st, 2023, with his family at his side.

Sam was born on December 11, 1936, to Sam and Agnes Pappas in Des Moines, Iowa.  Shortly after Sam was born, the family moved to Los Angeles, California and with the start of WW II the family relocated to Ash Fork, Arizona. They then moved to Prescott, Arizona but after a brief time there, they finally decided that Flagstaff, Arizona would be their home.  Sam attended Flagstaff High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in 1954.  From there, Sam attended the University of Arizona and in 1955 moved back to Flagstaff to attend Arizona State College (NAU), where he earned a BS in Accounting. While Sam was attending ASC, he met Dorothy Lou Armstrong, they married September 19, 1959.  Sam started his 65-year long career in accounting in Flagstaff and retired December 31, 2022.  He also belonged to many service organizations including the Elks, Lions and Big Brothers and Sisters of Flagstaff.  During his tenure with the Elks, Sam was the youngest member to serve as the Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E #499.  Sam loved baseball, the Boston Red Sox was his team, and he was also a die-hard Diamondback fan (unless they were facing the Red Sox).  He passed his love of the game onto his family and their families evidenced with the countless excursions to baseball games and ball parks of all leagues, high school, college, A, AA, AAA and Major.  If there was a game being played, he would find it.

Sam is survived by his wife Dorothy, sons John (Lori) Pappas and Sam (Michelle) Pappas, granddaughter Michelle (Steven) Goettl, and grandson Michael (Sara) Pappas, and great granddaughter Betty Lou Goettl.  Sam loved his grandchildren; he was always there for them, which made him happy, and his great granddaughter, Betty, gave him joy.

Sam loved to support children in need and therefore in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Dawson Merrick Childrens Foundation or St Jude's Childrens Hospital.

Services will be held on October 20, 2023, at 10:30 am at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, 1600 E. Rte. 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.  A reception will follow from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Elks Club, 2101 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.  Baseball attire is welcome at the reception.