Sam Boone Jr.
October 30, 2022
Sam Wood Boone Jr. passed away peacefully on 30 October 2022, at 70 years of age. Sam was surrounded by his loved ones, in Gainesville, Florida. He was born in Virginia to Sam and Ruth Boone. Coming from a long military lineage, he valued his family, service to community and love of country.
Sam graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1978 and was admitted to The Florida Bar the following year. A distinguished estate planning and elder law attorney, he was dedicated to serving his clients in the Gainesville community and the surrounding counties for more than 40 years.
He was a fervent reader, loved music and enjoyed many of the finer pleasures in life.
Sam was a beloved husband to Suzana Heligon Boone and a “Dear Old Dad” to Debra Boone, Shawn Boone(Christine), Patrick Sullivan, Suzana Vallejo Heligon, and Maria Fernanda Vallejo Heligon. He was also a cherished grandfather to Cassidy Teachout, Sterling Boone, Teagan Sullivan, and great-grandfather to Clayton Cordell and Madeline Cordell.
At his request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Haven Hospice Gainesville, where Sam served as a member of the community board.
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There are no words…he was one of the good guys‼️ I feel privileged to have worked with him and to have learned from him. He was the consummate professional and behind the gruff exterior was a heart of gold. Sam will be missed by those who knew him. My thoughts are with his family.
Sam was a profound presence in Florida, advocating for the rights of seniors and adults with disabilities. He went the extra mile and I will miss him dearly. I was proud to call him my favorite curmudgeon… much love to to his family. We strongly feel your loss.
To Sam and Family – Sam, you are an inspiration and an institution in the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. I have learned much from you and will miss your characteristic deep voice on our weekly Task Force calls. Thank you for making a difference to all of us elder law attorneys and to seniors in Florida. You were loved by all and will be missed.
Howie Krooks (Chair, Florida Bar Elder Law Section)
I'm so upset. I loved Sam. I worked with him for the last two years. Once of the smartest probate attorneys ever! He was my go to guy. He will be missed by many.
Sam was so open and giving of his time and talents. I really appreciate the time that he took with me and others in our legal community to help ensure that each of us was in a better position and had a greater opportunity to serve our clients and the public. He was an incredibly loyal person, who valued dedicated service, and gave the same in his own walk.
Sam was always a mentor and he will be sorely missed. He was truly an icon in life, in elder law and in the legal profession. He was a friend and confidant. Thank you Sam for all you did. I will miss you a lot.
Mike
When I went into private practice, Sam was my biggest support and ally. He took his role as counselor to heart, both with his fellow attorneys and with his clients. He was a caregiver to caregivers and inspires me every day.
On behalf of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, please accept our condolences for Sam's passing. Sam contributed greatly to the community as an attorney as a volunteer for local organizations, a trustee on the board of trustees for the John A. H. Murphree Law Library, and as a mentor to other attorneys. Sam's service as an attorney improved the law and legal profession. And his dedication to his craft and to the communities that he served will be sorely missed. Sam will remain as an icon of the Eighth Judicial Circuit bar.
My sincere condolences. Sending prayers for strength and peace to you all. May Sam rest in peace.
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” ~Khalil Gibran
Sam was an inspiration to everyone he met. A born leader, respected and loved by all of his peers.
Sam was a champion of his clients, the practice of law, and other attorneys. He has been described as a "small town attorney with a statewide impact." I have been so honored to know him, work with him, and benefit from his wisdom and kindness. He will be mourned and missed by so many. My thoughts are with his family. May his memory be a blessing.
I was surprised to hear of Sam's passing. I just spoke to him a few weeks ago…..I viewed him as a mentor who had practiced almost as long as I have lived. His presence will be missed.
I am so sorry for the family's loss. Sam was a wonderful person and I will miss him immensely.
Sam was a light as a mentor and dare I say friend. He was generous in sharing his wisdom and knowledge. He gave the best of himself, always and supported others to deliver their best.
Sam's voice was as gruff and unique as Sam Elliott’s yet his heart was as big as the world could accept. Much of the good from the Elder Law Section over the past few decades has his fingerprint on it. He never sought praise or status from it. Sam just had a moral fixation on how things should be and worked to make it happen. Florida has lost a great advocate. I have lost a great peer, friend, and in so many ways a mentor. I am incredibly saddened by this news, and I am going to miss him. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. They will be in my prayers.
I worked with Sam professionally many years back and also knew of him through his daughter, Debi. He was always kind, reassuring, and knowledgeable. My deepest sympathies and prayers go to his family.
Our prayers and sincere condolences to the family. May God guide you all through this difficult time, and may the memories of your loved one bring you comfort in the days to come.
My prayers go out to Sam's wife, Suzana, and his children: Debra, Shawn, Patrick, Suzana, and Maria. God bless you and Sam.
I am so very sorry to learn of Sam's passing. I send my deepest condolences to his family. I hope that time will help soften your sadness, leaving only beautiful memories that will last forever in your hearts.
I will remember and miss Sam for his kindness, generosity of knowledge and his laugh. May his memory be a blessing.
Very saddened by the news of Sam's passing. I worked with Sam throughout the years, and he was always a staunch advocate for his clients. He will be sorely missed. As passionate he was for his clients, his family was most important to him. Praying for strength and comfort for his family and friends during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace, Sam. We appreciate all the work you did to make things easier for those of us who followed you in the practice of protecting the elderly and disabled.
Sam will be greatly missed by my family. We have been clients since ~1997 when Sam did our first estate plan. Kind, wise and a rock during my husband's death. Saw him earlier this year for a consultation and am now so very grateful that I did.
Good bless this family.
Suzana, I am so sorry for your loss. We are going to miss his friendship and his insight.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you dear Sam and your lovely family. Sam sacrificed so much to help my Dad, Ozzie – even while he was not feeling well. His friendship, loyalty and commitment to helping a friend in need will never be forgotten.
Sam was a wonderful and kind person. He had a keen mind, and at many conferences, he would talk with my brother, Phil, and myself, on estate planning and other elder law issues. He always had a kind word to say about everyone. We should all live our lives by the example Sam set. He will be missed by many. Deepest condolences to his family.
Our sincere condolences to Sam's family and friends.
Our condolences for the family. We had no idea of Sam's passing. He was My attorney and Allen T. Redd's attorney for our estate planning form many years. We are a sadden by your loss and pray for your family in this time of need.
Sam helped me after the passing of a dear friend. His knowledge of the law and wisdom greatly comforted me during that difficult time. He also seemed to love his work and helping people. I’m very sorry for your loss.
To Sam's friends and family, rest in peace ole " Sam Bone", I will miss you and the fun we had together. Pan and you are now on the "high court " together! It'll never be the same. !! Love to all, Peter