Otho 'Sam' McKelvy III, 85
Otho Brince “Sam” McKelvy, 85, passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Family and friends all said their goodbyes previously. A heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful caregivers at Life Care Center in Sandpoint.
He was born in Ardmore, Okla., on Oct. 26, 1938, to Otho Brince McKelvy and Trevis Irene Kizziar McKelvy. He met the challenges of his childhood with grace and fortitude.
He had a good life and did everything he wanted to do. He raced cars, rode motorcycles, owned boats, fished, played darts professionally, and was an independent businessman being a master engraver. He then sold real estate and cars and was a supervisor for numerous convenience stores while working for Arco in California.
“Sam” and Vicki were married in 1985, moving to Sandpoint, Idaho, and purchasing the Dairy Depot, operating it for 18 years. They then opened the Admit One Fabric shop in Sandpoint and participated in numerous professional quilt shows in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon while maintaining an AdmitOneFabrics website and an Etsy site.
He loved Vicki’s Bunco buddies and was excited to help host Bunco parties. Thank you, gals, for all your caring and prayers. It’s much appreciated. He spent Tuesdays having lunch with his longtime friends at A&P’s.
He leaves behind his daughter, Diana, and her husband, Chris Jayne, her son, Jon, wife Katie and great-granddaughter Ann Barrett; and his son, Otho Brince “Andrew” McKelvy, from his first marriage; his sister, Robbie, and her family; also, his step-brothers and step-sisters from his father’s second marriage; his present wife, Vicki McKelvy, her son, Eric Zollinger, and her daughter, Monica, and husband Jason Galla, her and their children, Kevin Hill, Sean Gallaher and Connor and Kayana with great-grandson Konen Gallaher.
A celebration of life will be held in early July.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Sam’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.