Sam Sonka

SAM SONKA

Cedar Rapids

Sam C. Sonka, 72, of Lexington, Ky., died Monday, July 3, 2017, at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo., two days after suffering injuries from a fall during a mountain trail ride.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Velma Sonka, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Sonka of Lexington; his sons, Col. Brian (Krista) Sonka, M.D., of Landstuhl, Germany, Mark Sonka of Lexington and Joe (Eryn) Sonka of Louisville, Ky.; his brothers, Tom (Marilyn) Sonka of Cedar Rapids and Steve (Vicki) Sonka of Cherokee, Iowa; and grandchildren, Evan and Samantha Sonka (Germany).

Sam loved the outdoors, whether it was tending to his finely manicured yard, deer hunting or taking photos of nature. He enjoyed woodworking in his basement workshop, gatherings at his backyard fire pit, Pinot Noir, U.K. games, shows on public television and traveling with his wife. Among the places he visited in recent years were Prague, Germany, Italy and Paris. His favorite destination was Florence, Italy.

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sam developed his strong work ethic at a young age doing farm chores with his two brothers. He was an all-conference football player and co-captain as an offensive lineman at Prairie High School in 1962. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1968 and taught social studies and coached high school football in Solon.

Sam relocated his family to Lexington, Ky., in the fall of 1978 when he accepted a job transfer from Link-Belt Construction Equipment. He retired as purchasing manager in 2001.

Sam was actively involved in his sons' sports leagues and Lafayette High School booster clubs. He served as president of the South Lexington baseball league in the late 1980s.

After retirement, he was a substitute teacher at Lexington Traditional Middle School, Henry Clay High School and his favorite, Eastside Technical Center.

In recent years, he enjoyed Friday morning breakfasts with his Link-Belt bunch.

There always was a project that needed to be done, and he always was on a quest for knowledge. Sam loved entertaining and being surrounded by family and friends. He never met a stranger.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Clark Legacy Center, Brannon Crossing, Nicholasville, Ky. Mass of Resurrection is at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 24, at Pax Christi Catholic Church, with burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2089 Versailles Rd., Lexington. This will be followed by a celebration of Sam's life at Talon Winery, 7086 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington, from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to KET, the Sierra Club or Habitat for Humanity. www.clarklegacycenter.com