Samuel Thomas Francisco

His faith and kindness lives on

In Loving Memory
10/10/1988 - 08/08/2025
Samuel Francisco: a gentle spirit who gave freely,
loved deeply, and walked faithfully.


"And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor
with the Lord and with people." 1 Samuel 2:26

" As my wife and I are grieving the loss of our son Sam, we are comforted by all the prayers and support of family, friends, colleagues while being blessed in knowing that Sam is with his Savior. We also acknowledge and realize that our Heavenly Father knows about the pain of loss through many of HIS children here on earth, and most of all the loss of HIS one and only Son JESUS."  - Don Francisco

    "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16   
His Life
3c5da885 646d 48bc 9c77 6ce920ad28d1

Samuel Thomas Francisco

Samuel was born on a Monday morning, October 10, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea, bringing joy from the very start. Though he was shy as a child, Samuel blossomed into someone who reached out warmly to others, brightening many lives with his kind conversations. He embraced the adventure of being a Military Brat, always finding happiness wherever his family was.

After graduating from Engleside Christian School, he spent two years at Bible College, building friendships and deepening his faith. Samuel wore many hats—whether as a sales associate or a fast-food worker, he brought energy and a smile to everything he did. He found delight in classical, Russian, and Portuguese music and cherished reading, history, and learning new languages.

Above all, Sam’s love for Jesus shaped his life; he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and shared his faith with gentle honesty. Samuel courageously shared and prayed through his journey with bipolar disorder, moving from denial to acceptance, always leaning on love and hope.

In his final counseling session, he shared how deeply loved he felt by his family and friends—and how much he loved them in return. Samuel had a generous heart; he delighted in giving gifts, even if it meant he had to forgo something himself. He was a devoted caregiver to his younger brother and always dreamed of caring for his parents as they grew older. Samuel found community and comfort at International Calvary Church, The Falls Church Anglican, and many other churches.

He is lovingly remembered by his father, Donald Paul Francisco; his mother, Grace Kang Francisco; and his brother, Jonathan Kenneth Francisco. Sam himself was truly a gift—a radiant blessing whose love endures, reminding us that God’s gifts have no expiration date. He will always be remembered as an energetic, joyful, and deeply loving son, brother, and friend.
Read More

Life of Sam in Pictures

34a459a7 5c56 4072 99ac 7d28ee7c1b6d
Image
Img 5349
C759d85f eefa 4cc4 936f c74824f8b240
Img 5372
A8985bf3 cb50 4553 9f6f 254fb3695555
A331e3a4 02bc 4175 bc24 f11fab12f07f
Bee0e0c8 0755 4ce7 a42c a72506e5d0e8
0e347681 f304 4725 84b7 8ad6d36d2766
Pic11
Pic8
Pic1
Pic7
Pic6
Pic9
Pic14
Pic12
Previous Next

Eulogy

  Dear Heavenly FATHER, JESUS, and HOLY SPIRIT,
I praise and thank you for the 36 years of life you gave our firstborn son, who was first Your son. We were blessed to have Sam in our lives. Through the good times and the challenges, we grew. May his life continue to lead others to YOU. Amen.

     And yes, GOD is still and always will be good all the time !!! That’s not always easy to say, yet always true, especially in the midst of the storm.


      “Faith is believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” Philip Yancey


I liked how Sam called his Mom, “Mother dear”, and me Daddio, hence Sammio. Sam loved me, and he loved Mom … more. He was a Momma’s Boy, and I’m cool with that. He really loved his brother as well. Sam and I had great times and trips together, including New York City, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, The Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and many more places. We took our family trips and had one-on-one sessions. We were planning a trip to Niagara Falls. The highlight would have to be our four-day trip across the country in a hotel on wheels called … Amtrak. We had a sleeper car. It was well worth it. San Francisco to Washington, DC. I had always wanted to take Sam Francisco to San Francisco. We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.
We had some really nice heart-to-hearts. We shared some similar challenges and temptations, as well as some that were different. We prayed with and for each other. We have shed tears together. It was extremely difficult to watch him fight the battle from within, which at times he was unable to control. Mental Illness, the struggle is real. Once, he did something that really embarrassed both of us in public. Of course, I still loved him. Then I heard a gentle voice from the LORD, and thought how many times I embarrassed myself and my Heavenly Father in public, knowingly and unknowingly.
   To my fellow parents who have lost a child, I only knew about or of your pain; now I personally know and feel your pain. It is beyond words. My wife and I have cried together. I’ve hugged and supported Grace. She has wiped my tears away.
       In closing, a very well-known Bible verse, but not very well known for being recited at funerals, yet I find it appropriate, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
    Yes, keeping it real, I will be grieving for a long time. I have cried so much that I’ve gotten headaches.  Oh, how I miss my son Sam. Yet I rejoice that he is no longer suffering. I pray that his memory and the life he lived will encourage and inspire others to follow Jesus, and I’m thankful for the lessons God used Sam to teach me.
   Let the journey of healing begin, which will only be complete when my son and I are reunited in heaven with Jesus.

                     GOD is Good all the time & all the time GOD is good !!!  
Fafec280 fdea 4171 98d2 9bcb7a112b36

Jonathan's Tribute to his brother, Sam

"Sam was my big brother.  He loved me.  He cooked for me and helped me do the laundry. He helped me shave and clean the bathroom. One time, he took me on a walk to feed the ducks by the pond. That was fun. Thank you, Sam. I love you, Sam, and will miss you. I will see you again in heaven with JESUS."

Your little brother, Jon Paul Life Francisco 

Tribute

Here's what people wrote as a tribute to Sam.
"Sammy, I had things to say when you came to visit me with your mom after I moved to TX. I had plans for you that I haven’t said. You’ve gone too soon. I will never have the chance to see and talk with you. Although I dearly miss you, we will see you again at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Being unable to see you is only temporary. I didn’t know how much you were a big part of my life since you’ve left."
— Patrick K.
"Such a cheerful and energetic man of God. He was always quick with his caring smile and his joyful spirit was an inspiration to me. Look forward to seeing him sitting at Jesus’ feet in heaven.
The Lord is near to the broken hearted.
May God bless you"
— Peggy A.
"Samuel, you will be missed. What a beautiful soul. It was a joy to have you as a resident!! You're Mayfair House Family!"
— Breneata S.
"We honor his life, his light, and the love he brought into the world. May you find comfort in cherished memories, the embrace of family and friends, and the knowledge that our thoughts and prayers surround you."
— Cathie L.
"Samuel was a joy to be around with an ever-present heartwarming smile. I thank you for sharing him with me as you did and I treasure the gifts and words he shared with me and you. His roadmap shall be followed."
— K Sanders
"Sam was the first student Ethan and I met at ECS, the night he shared an amusing speech during an Open House. Later, when I began teaching science there, Sam blessed me by saying I had made science “come alive.” We will always remember his warm personality and ever present box of cheese crackers! "
— Mary F.

Dedicated to the Compassionate Friends

Supporting Family After A Child Dies
Learn More