Samuel James Elliott of Ypsilanti, MI, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital after a brief illness with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 14, 1934, in Ypsilanti, MI to George and Mildred (Schwieger) Elliott. On February 22, 1964, he married Lynda Sue Borkosky in Fostoria, Ohio and together they had two children, George (Pete) and James (Jim) who were raised on the farm, instilled with their parents values and beliefs in family, frugality and hard work.

Sam was a 1953 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Ypsilanti, MI. Following high school, Sam attended Michigan State University and completed the two-year Agricultural Short Course program. He then spent two years in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959, stationed mostly in Germany and France. Upon returning home from the military, he started his own farm. Sam was a 5th generation Farmer and farmed throughout his entire life, running a successful farming operation growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, and also raised livestock in his younger days. He also raised chickens and supplied eggs to local businesses including Beyer Hospital. He loved being outside and being his own boss.

Sam was in the Ypsilanti Lions Club for over 30 years and was a Farm Bureau member for more than 65 years. He served on the Washtenaw County Conservation District Board for 4 years and was also on the Ypsilanti Township Planning Board. Additionally, Sam was on the Board of Directors for both the Ypsilanti Farm Bureau and Washtenaw Farmers Oil Company for many years.

Sam believed in hard work, being honest and fair to everyone he met. Sam and his wife Sue spent 21 winters in Punta Gorda, Florida at Eagle Point retirement community where they enjoyed warm winters and sunshine and made lifelong friends from around the country. They have traveled the world to include England and most of Europe, as well as China, Australia, Norway, Denmark and most every state in the United States including Hawaii and Alaska.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents George and Mildred (Schwieger) Elliott, sister Nathalie (Elliott) Edmunds and brother, William Elliott. His legacy lives on through his beloved wife of 62 years, Sue Elliott of Ypsilanti, MI; his children George (Pete) and Jenifer Elliott of Milan, MI, James (Jim) Elliott and Michele Hill of Ypsilanti, MI; and grandchildren Jeffrey (Marisa) Elliott of Midland, MI and Bruce Elliott of Saline, MI.

Sam wished to be cremated and there will be no memorial or funeral service.