Samuel ""Sam"" Baker Wood Gillette

Samuel (Sam) Baker Woods Gillette, 64, of Arvada, Colorado died peacefully on December 31, 2015, after a courageous battle against complications following a liver transplant. Sam was born on May 7, 1951 to parents Louis and Margaret ""Parge"" Gillette, and was raised in Birmingham, Michigan with siblings Louise Lowry, John (Cori) Gillette, Anne (Jim) Bredouw and Meera Gillette. He moved to the Denver area during college, and made it his home. He met his wife Patti in 1999, and they were married in 2010. They made their home in Arvada, and were joined in 2015 by ""Jake"" the beagle who never left Sam's side except for treats and chasing squirrels. He began his career in the trucking industry as a professional driver. After spending 20 years on the road, he moved into the Safety Department at Leprino Transportation Company, and later became Safety Director at HVH Transportation. He completed his career as a Safety Representative for Great West Casualty Company, helping his customers throughout Wyoming and southern California. He was proud to achieve the professional designation of Certified Director of Safety, but perhaps he most appreciated the self-certification of W.C.S.D. that he and long-time friend Tom Lee, decided fit the two of them best: World Class Safety Director… Sam spent his entire career as a safety advocate for the trucking industry on a local, state and national level. He was often sought out for his experience, expertise and knowledge. Sam was a long-time member of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association's Safety Management Council, serving in many capacities including its Chairman. Sam liked to claim that he had ""no respect for authority"", but he held no one in higher regard than the friends he made at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Colorado State Patrol, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Aurora Police Department and various other enforcement agencies. He volunteered at the Colorado, Wyoming and National Truck Driving Championships – using his unique sense of humor to keep hundreds of truck drivers relaxed during their competitions. Sam lived his life to the fullest. He believed that the best parts of going somewhere was the journey it took to get there. His positive outlook on life, keen sense of humor and caring nature defined him. With his outgoing personality and quick smile he made friends wherever he went. His mother nicknamed him ""sweetness"" when he was younger, and that defined him through his life. He spent as much time as possible on the golf course whether it meant playing 18 holes or volunteering at professional golf tournaments throughout the country. In better days, Sam enjoyed a ""wee dram"", as long as it was single malt scotch, and preferably 18 year old Glenlivet. On sunny days he could be found driving his 1972 VW bug, or more recently riding his ""new"" Harley. He loved music of all types, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Those who knew him well also knew he had a strong aversion to squirrels and kale! The doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Colorado Hospital all held special places in Sam's heart. Their endless support, care, devotion and friendship saved him time and again over the past 10 years. You were his saviors… He will be greatly missed by everyone who met him. He is survived by his wife Patti, sisters Louise Lowry and Anne (Jim) Bredouw, brother John (Cori) Gillette, sons Jeremiah and Sammy, son-in-law Darren Burns, grandson Joshua Burns, aunts Alicia Gillette and Anne Guzzardi, dear friend Dorothy Gillette, several cousins, nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Meera and his daughter Jolene (Darren) Burns. A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10am both will be held at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. Golf shirts and blue jeans are welcome. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to: University of Colorado Hospital Foundation Transplant Program Fund #13006 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop F485 Aurora, CO 80045 Please make checks payable to University of Colorado Hospital Foundation and place ""In memory of Sam Gillette"" in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at https://uch.thankyou4caring.org Please consider becoming an organ donor. Please share your memories of Sam and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.