Leslie Samuel

Dearly LOVED Leslie Lewis Samuel, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 29th, 2023, at age 72, after a 15-year battle with cancer. Les faced his health challenges with resolute determination to stay beside his wife Lisa for as long as possible.       

Les was born in Chicago to Emma Parks-Samuel and Lewis D. Samuel. He was raised in Harvey, Illinois, and is now reunited with his parents, eldest Brother Herman, and eldest sister Marleen; niece Keisha Frazier. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa, three children, Zachary, Loren, Ashley; grandchildren, Xavier, Marley; as well as his beloved sisters and brothers,Lolita, Reginald, Leonard, Lola and Lisa; nephews, Christopher Moore, Justin Newson, Anthony Williams. 

Leslie was a visionary who brought this quality to everything that he was inspired to do. Les had a long and successful career in the fashion industry in product design, sales, and marketing in both domestic and international markets. Les traveled the world from a young age, building his career in the ‘“Ready to Wear Couture”  world. His success and strategic thinking got him noticed by the organization TEC, an international business coaching organization. Les was recruited by TEC in 2000 and moved from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, NM.  There he met and married (in 2005) the love of his life, Lisa, of the Samuel Design Group. Les was an expert leadership coach to executives and professional organizations. In his final years Les became a partner in a local restaurant in Santa Fe, SweetWater Harvest Kitchen, where he oversaw operations and management, before retiring in 2022.

Notably, Les was very active in serving his community here in Santa Fe. He brought the vision of a community event Music on the Hill – to St. John’s College.This event was a most favorite free event to locals and to people from surrounding areas. The charge of this event was to inform the community of the importance of St. John’s College to the Santa Fe community. Les gave himself freely to chair and co-chair many community events to benefit the people of Santa Fe; Big Brothers Big Sisters was one of his favorites. His brilliance shined in his service to co-chairing the Centennial Ball, the Mayor’s Ball, and many other local charities. Les also facilitated the Taste of Santa Fe in the summer of 2008.

Les will always be remembered for his gift of kindness, his creativity, and his love for life. He was a fierce warrior for anything he believed in. Les passed away at home peacefully in the arms of his devoted wife and son Zachary, and  surrounded by dear friends..