Samuel Kenneth Brian

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It is with heavy hearts that the family of Samuel Kenneth Brian announces his unexpected passing on the morning of Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, at the age of 24 years. Even though the loss of Sam is new, his family is already feeling the void he leaves behind in all their lives.

Sam was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on August 9, 2000. Anyone who knew Sam recognized and appreciated his sometimes grumpy but lovable demeanor, his bluntness, and his relatively dark sense of humor. He reveled in saying things to shock whoever he was talking to or texting. But those close to him also knew he was a very intelligent and sensitive soul who was often alarmed and angered by social injustices and any instances of bullying he heard about or witnessed. His responses to online bullying, ironically, often earned him temporary bans from various social media platforms.

In February of 2016, Sam was diagnosed with a significant medical condition that required frequent doctor and hospital visits, as well as MRI’s and CT’s, plus occasional surgeries and infusion treatments. This all required a great deal of traveling, too. And almost more than anything, Sam wanted to be home in his apartment with Jack Jack and family nearby. Over the years, Sam’s medical conditions multiplied and worsened. He was frequently tired and frustrated with all he was enduring, but never gave up fighting.

For a few years, Sam worked at a theater in Savoy, Illinois while he finished high school in neighboring Champaign. After moving to Logan, he became employed as a custodian at the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier library. He often proclaimed to not love working but we could see how it made a positive difference to him and during times he was on leave due to medical issues, he would state that he felt like he needed to get back into his work schedule again. His current supervisors expressed how much they enjoyed working with Sam and that he was fun to have working on their team.

Sam’s nephew and five nieces were beacons of light to him. Some of his greatest joys in life were having them come to see him downstairs in his apartment and watch videos and movies, play games, and share his treasured stash of Oreos and Chips Ahoy cookies, Goldfish crackers, and varieties of cereals with them. Despite Sam towering over them, speaking loudly due to being nearly deaf, his sometimes wild-looking hair, and food-stained shirts, they all knew him only as Uncle Sam and they loved him just as he was.

In the spring of 2020, Sam adopted a cat he named Jack Jack, who was a favorite character of his from one of his favorite movies, The Incredibles. Much of Sam’s daily routine was spent worrying about Jack when he was outside, letting him in and out, and being frustrated when the cat wanted to go and then come back in frequently on any given night. 

Sam was close to his brothers and sister, and their relationships evolved and became more important to him in these more recent years. It was very meaningful to him when they texted him and visited the house. He eagerly awaited the opportunities to play games with them while sitting around the kitchen table during family visits and holidays. Sam also had a talent for giving loved ones particularly well-thought out and eccentric gifts, such as a replica of the leg lamp from the movie “A Christmas Story” given to his mother one Christmas.

Sam is survived by his mother, Julie Hexum (Scott), father, Mitch Brian (Shannon), brothers, Danny (Lauren) and Parker (Mikayla), his sister, Hannah (Spencer). Additionally, he is survived by numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and a small circle of close friends, especially Julia of Champaign, Illinois, who Sam corresponded with frequently and considered his best and closest friend. 

Funeral services for Samuel will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E. Center St. Logan at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 23, 2024.  Funeral services will be livestreamed on the Allen-Hall Mortuary website. 

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com. 

*Disclaimer: If for some reason the livestream of the Funeral Service does not work we will record the service and upload the video at a later date.*