Obituary of Samuel Robert Garrity

Samuel Robert Garrity, age 23 of Yankton, SD died unexpectedly Monday, September 28, 2015 at his residence in Vermillion, SD. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, October 2, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Larry Regynski officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Thursday, October 1, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Urn Bearers will be Patrick and Ruth Boehmer. Honorary Urn bearers will be the Sacred Heart School Class of 2006. He is the son of Jan and Patrick Garrity, Yankton, SD. Sam was born June 29, 1992, in Seoul, Korea. He joined his parents in America on November 20, 1992 after his adoption was finalized. Jan and Pat raised Sam on the family farm near Mission Hill, SD. It was there at Garritys' Prairie Gardens that Sam began touching people's lives with his quick wit and charm as he waited on customers and helped his parents. Sam attended Sacred Heart School through eighth grade. He graduated in 2010 from Yankton High School where he participated in marching band and was a member of the National Honor Society. He worked in the Hy-Vee produce department during his high school years. Sam was a member of Boy Scout Troop #102 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009. Sam graduated magna cum laude from South Dakota State University in 2014 with a degree in psychology. He was awarded a full scholarship to the University Of South Dakota School Of Law, where he won the first year intramural alternative dispute resolution tournament (negotiations). He was currently in his second year of studies. Sam traveled often with his parents for family vacations, especially enjoying trips to Seattle, WA, his favorite city. As a Boy Scout he hiked the Bighorns and snorkeled in Key West. As an employee of Daktronics in Brookings, SD, first as an intern, then as a full-time summer staff member, he traveled to Milwaukee, WI, Kansas City, MO, and Jacksonville, FL, installing scoreboard systems. Sam, affectionately known as Samwise and Panda to his friends, never failed to make an impression - whether he was pontificating on any number of subjects, or sharing his wry sense of humor. He was sensitive, inquisitive, and smart, and always ready to share a hug. He was here for such a short time, but the impact he had on his family, friends, classmates, and co-workers will last forever. Sam is survived by his parents, Jan and Patrick Garrity, Yankton, SD; maternal grandmother, Phyllis Karolevitz, Yankton, SD; special 'nana', Donna McLagan, Brookings, SD; aunts and uncles - Jill Karolevitz and James (Pete) Peterson, Yankton, SD; Tom and Denise Garrity, Allentown, PA; Ruth and Pat Boehmer, Chicago, IL; Ted and Amy Garrity, Edina, MN; and numerous cousins, great uncles and aunts. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joe Garrity and Faith Lund; maternal grandfather, Robert Karolevitz, and uncle and aunt, Emmet and Marie Billings. Memorials preferred.