Samuel J. Caruthers III, 78, of Madison, Ohio, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023. He was born in Swandale, West Virginia, on April 15, 1944, the son of Samuel and Dicy Catherine (Boggs) Caruthers. Samuel attended Madison High School and was drafted into the United States Army soon after. He proudly served in the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Garryowen) in Vietnam. Notable actions include the Battle of IA Drang Valley (LZ X-Ray), documented in a critically acclaimed book, "We Were Soldiers Once…And Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway. On March 2nd , 1968, he married the love of his life, Barbara Drew of Madison. Together they raised four wonderful children. In 1974 he was employed with Penn Central Railroad; after many years, Samuel retired from CSX Railroad as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Samuel enjoyed many hobbies, such as gardening, fishing, camping, collecting arrowheads, and cooking. He was "famous" for his potato salad at picnics and for sharing his "bounty" from his garden. During the summer months, Sam's friends often found fresh produce left on their doorstep. He loved a good practical joke, such as leaving oversized plastic cockroaches in your work locker and placing rubber snakes in the front porch lattice. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. His loving family survives him; his children: Samuel (Rochelle) Caruthers, Kimberly Caruthers, Robert Caruthers, and Kathleen (Roger) Caruthers; his grandchildren: Nekko, Michael, Chris, Erik, Robert, Makenna, Sammy, Elizabeth, and Zachary, his great-grandchildren, Winona May, Denise Carol, Cole, and Anthony James, his siblings Connie Jackson, Terry, and Lora Caruthers. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Dicy Catherine Caruthers, his spouse Barbara Caruthers, and his brother Donald Caruthers. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will spread at one of his favorite places to travel, St. Augustine, Florida. A celebration of life will be held in the coming summer months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of The Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110 or onine at https://p2p.onecause.com/donateonetime/donate Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio, assisted the family with arrangements. www.LakeErieCrematory.com