Samuel E. Wynkoop, Jr.

Samuel Evans Wynkoop Jr. (80) turned his walker in for some wings on December 28. 2023. He was a man of high moral standing and unashamedly low humor. He was born in Washington D.C. to Samuel Evans Wynkoop Sr. and Dorothy (Lee) but spent most of his years a true Prince Georgian. He graduated, President of his class, from Surrattsville High School in 1961. He attended Frostburg State University, then known as Frostburg Teachers College, where he met his beautiful bride Sunday who he would go on to share an enviably loving, five decade long marriage with. He earned his masters from Catholic University. When faced with the choice, in 1969, of attending Woodstock (and he loved music) or going South to help register voters, he and Sunday chose to go to Virginia and try and make a difference. In the early 70’s Sam took his lofty ideals and entered the political arena working on the election campaign of Winnie Kelly, who would go on to be Prince George’s County Executive. Sam would later take the position of Administrator of the Prince George’s County Council where he served a great number of elected officials over the years including his dear friend, the late Wayne Curry. Sam went on to serve in federal government as Chief of Staff for Steny Hoyer, where he traveled to Russia in 1991 as part of the official congressional delegation. He finished his career as Director of Environmental Resources for Prince Georges County.  Along the way Sam never balked at an oyster shooter or the opportunity to help guide a young person on their journey including acting as sponsor to one of his nephews when he attended the Naval Academy and closely mentoring another when he served as a congressional aide. Sam’s social involvement and activism reached beyond borders with his hopeful and unwavering commitment to Habitat for Humanity. Over the years he traveled to Africa and Cambodia to immerse himself in the culture and make a lasting impact, even if it meant eating a tarantula Sam was always willing to do what was necessary to fulfill his duties and come home with the best story. He also traveled to New Orleans with Habitat after Hurricane Katrina.

Sam was extraordinarily loving and generous. His easy smile, warm demeanor and playful humor charmed a great many. He loved music, especially Bob Dylan, the theater, movies, golfing, The Orioles, The Washington Football Team, making new friends wherever he went, traveling, the beach and most especially spending quality time with friends and family. He was a voracious reader and he never passed up an opportunity to dance or tell the people he cared about how much he loved them.

He is preceded in death by his brother Gerard and his parents Sam Sr. and Dorothy.

He is survived by the love of his life his wife of 54 years Sunday, his children Daniel (Andrea) and Carrie (Bob) and his grandchildren Jari, Samantha, Addison and Olivia, his brothers Robert and Martin and his sister Holly, his many beloved nieces and nephews and enough friends to prove every bit of this obit is true. He will be missed.

A memorial gathering will be held from 5-6pm, followed by a service at 6p, Saturday January 6, 2024 at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rt. 3 South) Bowie, MD. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sam’s name to Habitat for Humanity.