Orion Geraldsen

Sam passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8th, 2025, surrounded by all his loving family. Dad

was 92 years old. He was born at home in rural upstate New York to Frederick and Katherine Geraldsen

on September 4th, 1933. He was the youngest of their seven children. He took great pride in having been

raised in a loving Christian home. Being a farm boy, he learned how to work hard and that stayed with him

all of his life. While he was growing up, he had various jobs. They included everything from farming,

trapping, roofing on Long Island and even assisting in the build of his own parents’ home. At a very young

age, he ventured out from New York and ended up in Southern California. For a while, he worked for a

military ammunition plant pressing shells. Eventually dad took a job with Sears & Roebuck, where he met

the love of his life Elma Faye (Cupie) Brunner. Their job was to transport merchandise and repair parts

within Sears’ warehouse while on roller skates. They continued to skate through life together as man and

wife for 74 blessed years.

During the Korean War, Dad enlisted and served honorably overseas in the United States Air Force. He

enjoyed working on aircraft and anything space-related. In 1970, he returned to the military as a Reservist

in the Navy. In total, Dad spent over 24 years in the service of his country. The education and experience

that he received helped him to forge a career in the Aerospace Industry. Sam worked for Aerojet General

in the Solid Rocket Division for over 30 years. At one point, he was a safety representative for the

Machinist Union at Aerojet. That is where he got the name “No Sweat Sam”. People would report a safety

issue to him and his response would be “ No Sweat Sam, I’ll get right on it.” So they referred to him as

“No Seat Sam” but eventually, they dropped the “No Sweat” and just called him Sam. He’s been Sam

ever since.

We would like anyone who may read this obituary to know our Dad was a wonderful father and a devoted

and loving husband. He had a playful side to him. He enjoyed drawing for his children, bowling, riding his

bike to work, roller skating, playing golf, or just sitting for a game of Parcheesi or Pinochle. He had a great

sense of humor. He loved us unconditionally, and we had fun. But when we misbehaved, an appropriate

amount of kind discipline was administered. He taught us by his example. We learned what was important

in life. In our home, we had respect, kindness, joy, and laughter, but most of all, we had “Love”. He taught

us to work hard and strive for our dreams. He showed us what honesty means and what it is to be a loyal

friend. He was blessed with many friends whom he cherished. He enjoyed all of God’s little creatures, be

they furry, feathery, big, or little; it didn’t matter. He never knew a stranger. To him, strangers were future

friends. In fact, Dad and Mom loved to travel, and on one of their multiple trips overseas, they met the

Wolf’s from Germany and the Schmidt’s from Holland. As usual, within minutes, they all became lifelong

friends who kept in touch for over 30 years.

He was a proud Christian who loved the Lord and all of us dearly! He’ll be forever loved and missed all

the days of our lives. We trust in the Lord and know he is welcoming our father home with the words “Well

Done My Good and Faithful Servant.”

Dad was preceded in death by his loving wife Cupie and survived by son Steven Charles Geraldsen and

daughter Kim Eileen Park, grandson Knute Alexander Park, and great-grandson Knute William Park along

with daughter-in-law Janie Geraldsen, great-daughter-in-law Taylor Park, and son-in-law Knute Jeffrey

Park. Everyone was grateful and blessed to have had Dad for all those years.

Sam will be laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley Veterans National Cemetery in Dixon, California on December 19th at 10:15 A.M.