David Samora

David D. Samora, 72, died unexpectedly at St. Vincent hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the early morning hours of April 8, 2020 due to a surgical infection, exacerbated by previously undetected abdominal cancer.

David will be remembered by many as a skilled and innovative woodworker. The owner of David Samora Woodworks, the creator of architectural millwork and traditional furniture, much of which will for many years enshrine his memory in homes throughout Santa Fe.

For others, David will be remembered as a stalwart and dedicated member of the local Alcoholics Anonymous community. His thirty four year commitment to sobriety, and his dedication to service in helping others on their paths, was as important to David as it was to the community he has left behind. He leaves many members without a sponsor; and he leaves his own sponsor without his long-time sponsee.

David’s love of fly-fishing, with his brothers, by himself, or with friends, in a mountain stream or below Navajo Dam, started as an exercise to help him maintain his sobriety, and in the subsequent 34 years of untangling leaders and stream-side naps, he found that it both sustained and inspired him.

For his parents, Betty and Julian Samora, both of whom passed on many years ago, David was their mainstay, especially after the oldest son, Bob, died in 1975 at age 31. David absorbed and carried their grief.

For his employees at David Samora Woodworks, as well as his many outside collaborators and associates, David was always a reliable and conscientious leader, teacher, friend, mentor, and pillar of support. He will remain so.

David, while born in Alamosa Colorado, grew up in South Bend, Indiana where his father taught at the University of Notre Dame. David attended St. Josephs High School, and earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame. The pursuit of his Masters degree in the Humanities was interrupted when he purchased a radial arm saw and built his first rocking chair, propelling him on his lifelong path of woodworking.

To those who knew him, David was nothing if not reliable. From his ubiquitous, pressed handkerchief always at the ready to be offered to a teary friend, to his great love of cycling, literature, sports, and the curation of what he referred to as “Pendejismo”.

But for many, especially his family, his rapier wit, infectious laughter and his incredibly slow speed at the dining table is what will be missed the most.

David is survived by his sister Carmen, brother-in-law Steve and niece Alicia all of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

His brother Geoff, sister-in-law Mary of South Bend, Indiana, Niece Zoë Britsch, with husband Ryan of Goshen Indiana, nephew Moses resides in Portland, Oregon with his son Julian.

His Brother John with sister-in-law Alison live in Pinetop, Arizona, his niece Magdalena lives in Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico.

His niece Amy Dunn, from his late brother Bob, resides in Chandler, Arizona with her two children, Haley and Nick.

Because of the Corona-Virus Pandemic there are no current memorial plans, but will be made as allowed by common sense.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Julian Samora Endowed Scholarship, by going to:

https://jsri.msu.edu/scholarships/julian-samora-endowed-scholarship

https://www.facebook.com/pg/David-Samora-Memorial-Page-100203081676563/posts/