Samuel Boothe Vallandingham, 78, of Ridge died October 7, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital.

Born September 10, 1930, he was the son of the late Claude I. Vallandingham and Mary Virginia Curley Davidson.

He served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War and 34 years of civil service for the Public Works Department at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

Sam was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed woodworking, life on the water, spending time with his family, and supporting his brother firemen. In his retirement years, he found great pleasure spending time with his wife, Peggy, in Pigeon Forge, TN; their home away from home.

He was a lifetime member with 58 years of dedicated service to the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, having served the positions of Chief, President, Engineer and Board of Directors member.

Samuel is survived by his spouse and soul mate, Margaret A. Carroll Vallandingham, whom he married on December 5, 1953 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ridge, MD; five children, Debra J. Raley (Don) of Ridge, MD; Dale Vallandingham (Ronnie) of St. Inigoes, MD; Cheryl A. Ridgell (Tony) of Ridge, MD; Carol L. Zeien (Don) of Dysart, IA; Dawn A. Gatton (Peanut) of Ridge, MD; a brother, James C. Vallandingham (Betty) of Waldorf, MD; 11 grandchildren, Scott Raley, Tara Brabenec, Justin Raley, Candice Vallandingham, Bo Vallandingham, Heather Smith, Amy Moore, Chandler Zeien, Camden Zeien, Logan Gatton and Tyler Gatton; and 2 great-grandchildren, Jocelyn Raley and Jesse Smith.

Family will receive friends on Friday, October 10, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in St. Michael's Catholic Church, 16555 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD 20680. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Monsignor Maurice O'Connell as the celebrant.

Pallbearers will be Don Raley, Tony Ridgell, Don Zeien, Peanut Gatton, Scott Raley and Bo Vallandingham. Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Raley, Tyler Gatton and members of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 520, Ridge, MD, 20680; or Mike's Food Fund, 21310C Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.