Samuel Xavier Justice (who was known only as SAM) died on Sunday, November 16th in Wooster, Ohio. He is survived by his Father, Christopher and Mother, Leticia as well his his Brother, Dominic and Sister, Zoe. He was a member of the YMCA (which he was very proud of), a new Bear Cub in Troop 61, a power wheelchair soccer player, and a Melrose Elementary student of the month.  

Sam was a powerful force from the moment he entered the world. He was spunky, energetic and daring. He was a good brother to both his siblings and they loved him dearly. Sam was a hard worker and he enjoyed
helping others. He loved to take furniture apart before loading the u-haul for a move. Sam was always an early riser and the first to run outside to work on the garden. He enjoyed taking care of his seedlings and gifting them to others. Sam was a trap master, he would set booby traps around the house to trick and trap his family. He once took the hinges off his door with his drill to escape a timeout. He would wake early in the morning at 6:00 am and sneak downstairs for a snack, then sneak back to wake his brother and sister to watch TV or play Minecraft.  He enjoyed being outside riding his bike, lifting weights with his dad, using power tools and building things and definitely tinkering and breaking things. 

As Sam's brain tumor grew he lost the ability to use his legs and right arm, but that didn't slow him down. The first day he sat in his power chair he was ready to go. No instructions and certainly no more waiting. Sam was already an excellent driver and navigated the hospital corridors like a race car driver, fast and very smooth. Sam's medical team would laugh because once he finished a treatment, he would be in the chair, out the door and have us trailing behind him trying to keep up.  Sam continued to push himself, joining power soccer and asking his coach for extra practice time. He always asked to go to school, even when he felt tired. He loved being in class and learning, being surrounded by his friends, his teachers, staff, aides and bus drivers. He kept a smile on his face and didn't let anything stop him from participating.

After Sam lost the ability to use both hands, he relied on his village to be his hands. Sam preferred to stay busy so he quickly filled his calendar with baking, 3D printing and gaming.  Sam was able to participate in these activities with the use of a Touch to Speak app that allowed head and eye tracking. Sam mastered the app quickly and then started tinkering. He customized the device to cater to his needs, he created sections for playing games so he would never lose an Uno game. He used this device to start his business Lumi's Lemonade Stand. As with everything in Sam's life he took it a step further. He hired employees and prepared for his second business launch, where he wanted to sell some of his 3D printed creations. Sam loved gifting and would drop cookies off for neighbors or fry donuts for his favorite local chef and treat his class to whatever custom creation he could think up. He always wanted to show up with a gift, but not just something purchased off a store shelf, it had to be something he made or baked himself.

No matter what life threw at Sam, he held his head high, faced his fears and kept love in his heart. He will be greatly missed and will be held in many hearts forever. 

Sam's celebration of life will be held at Christmas Run Park in Wooster, Ohio this Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 between 2:00 - 4:00 PM, under the pavilion. Sam would have wanted people to honor him by moving their bodies, sharing fun memories and having a laugh. 

Please do not bring flowers or donate them. Sam loved to garden and would rather you plant a tree, a bush or flowers in your yard instead. Donations can be made to the family directly, which will be used for travel and related expenses for Sam's celebration(s) of life.

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