Former State Sen. Dallas Sams died Monday morning, March 5, after a struggle with brain cancer at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, surrounded by his wife and friends. He was 54.
"Dallas Sams provided outstanding rural representation during the 16 years he served in the Minnesota Senate," said friend and colleague Rick Krueger. "He served as chair of many major committees, and cared passionately about and provided leadership on agriculture, the environment, health care, education and, of course, ethanol. Rural Minnesota has lost a great champion and we have lost a great friend."
Sams was elected to represent District 11 in 1990. During his years in the Senate, he served as chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Finance, and Health and Family Security committees. He also served as chair of the Legislative Commission on Natural Resources and the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI).
Former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe said Sams will be remembered for his kindness, integrity and hard work.
"I told Dallas a few months ago that he would be remembered by how he treated people. He was always kind, civil, was quick with a smile and handshake," Moe said. "Dallas was a really good and decent person."
Sams is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Davidson, his children, Seth, Stacia, Jordan, Mitchell and Michael, his mother, three brothers and many relatives and many truly wonderful friends.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 9, in the Staples High School gymnasium. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, also in the Staples High School gymnasium.
