Obituary: Koval, Samuel Oliver
Age 94
May 6, 1917 - February 15, 2012
Samuel Oliver Koval, 94, of Twin Falls ID, (formerly of Great Falls, MT/ Spokane, WA), passed away, February 15, at his home with family by his side.
Sam was born May 6, 1917, (the seventh of nine children) to Jozef and Maria Koval in Lehigh, MT and graduated from Windham High School in 1937.
In 1939, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and after training, while he was stationed in Spokane, he met, fell in love with and married Marguerite “Margie” Lewis on February 2, 1942.
Some of Sam’s military career involvement was aiding the “B-25 Special Project” (Doolittle’s group) via land raids.
His group also formed the bomber portion of the U.S. Army Force Support for the China Air Task Force that aided Chiang Kai Shek, in which he was awarded the Chinese Victory Medal (presented by Madam Kai Shek).
He also received the Silver and Bronze Stars, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal and six Victory and Campaign Medals.
Sam also fought in the Korean War before retiring in 1962.
After retirement from the Air Force, the family returned to Great Falls, MT; where Sam later retired from the U.S. Post Office, around 1972.
Upon retirement from the USPS, he and Margie returned to Spokane where they lived for several years.
Later moving to Twin Falls, ID, to be closer to their daughter, Sharon.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Margie; his three children: Creig Koval of Great Falls, MT, Sharon (Gene) Porath of Jerome, ID, and Sammy F. Koval of Denver, CO; his granddaughters, Krysie (Bob) Edwards of Great Falls, MT and Shauna (Trenton) McRoberts of Boise, ID; his great and great-great-grandchild, Brittany (Jason) Bawks and Dean Bawks of Spokane, WA.
Sam is also survived by his sister Elsie Thompson of Billings, MT; and his brother Albert Koval of Mascotte, FL.
Sam, Dad, Grampa, you were an inspiration and a leader to your family and friends.
You will never be forgotten, and we will always love you.
Graveside services will be conducted by Ball & Dodd Funeral Home in Spokane, WA and he will be laid to rest by the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 21.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be sent to the Department of Retired and Disabled Veterans or the Salvation Army.