In Loving Memory of Sam Paredes

Photo is with Sam in his WY happy place.

Sam to me was larger than life itself. He is the Big Brother I never had! The strongest man of faith I have even known. Sam always said; “I praying for you little brother”. To which I always responded Sam I’m a broken Catholic heathen! With your prayers I have a shot at purgatory!😂 Sam would always say… “Little brother in my faith there is no purgatory, only HEAVEN and I’ll be waiting for you there!” I have zero doubt if I make it! Sam is there waiting for me! My faith my world is a better place for having Sam in it! Thank you all for sharing him with us!
Respectfully
Roy Griffith

The first day I met Sam, he embraced Shermichael and I with so much support and positivity. At first I thought this was because it was our first meeting, but I later learned that this was Sam’s default state of being. Never was there anything less than encouragement and light that poured from him into anyone he spoke to. You don’t meet people like Sam as often as you would like, nor do you forget them any time soon. He will be missed.

Dear Laurie and the Paredes Family,
We are sending our deepest condolences to all of you during this incredibly difficult time.
Josh and Sam shared so many unforgettable moments—not only through their time together on the radio show, but also side by side on center stage at the GOC dinners. Those memories are etched in our hearts, and we are so grateful for them.
You are always in our prayers, and we think of you often. Sam’s warm hugs and his heartfelt “love you, little brother” will be forever missed. He had a way of making people feel seen and valued, and Josh truly loved every moment spent with him.
Sam was someone to emulate—calm, kind, loving, and always putting family first. Josh saw him as a role model, and we are deeply thankful to have had him be a part of our lives in such meaningful ways.
Sending you all our love and continued prayers,
Love The Deaser’s Josh & Katie

I was Sam's neighbor. We shared a love for many passions of ours. One big one was our mustangs. I admired his Shelby and he loved hearing what upgrades I was doing to my GT any chance we had to catch up. I was with him in his final hours on earth. We always wanted to test drive each other's cars, and that morning as I left my house with no destination, I found myself visiting my parents house hoping Sam would be home. Sam was home and couldn't help but come over to see the updates and shake my hand. After a walk around, we said lets drive them! And so we took Sam's final drive together as friends, 35 years apart, enjoying one of gods many graces, hot rods. He let out several big "woohoo"s in those 30 mins or so and I'm so happy I was able to share with him right before he met God. I want his family and friends to know Sam had a blast in his final hours. I'm honored to have been there with him,to give back to him in return for all the love he gave to me over the years. Cheers to Sam!

So sorry I could not attend to honor Sam’s life. In my time in the Legislature, Sam was always there to help in the fight for the conservative cause. I counted him a friend and ally. California is worse off now that he has gone home. He will be missed

Every time I would be on stage, he’d find me after service, kiss me on top of the head and say “I just love it when you’re up there”. Forever grateful

Sam came to speak to the Redding tea party way back in 2009. He asked me what I did for a living. At that time I was looking for work and for a new career. Sam enthusiastically said that he had a place for my talents. Although just 5 years my senior, he looked at me like my dad always did. He SAW me and he connected me with an amazing group of people in politics. I found an amazing career on Doug LaMalfa’s team. Fifteen years later, I still thank Sam every day. He came into my life and changed it for the better "in the finest Christian sense" as he would always say. ❤️