Sam Gayjikian was born November 12, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Missionary Armenian parents, died July 28, 2012 of natural causes. He was preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Hazel (nee Peterson) Gayjikian; son, Bobby; parents, Krikor and Osanna (nee Gabooshian) Gayjikian; brother, John Gayjikian; and sister Lucy Gayjikian. He is survived by his loving sister Rose (nee Gayjikian) Helton; his granddaughter, Jennifer Fletcher; niece, Cindi (nee Helton) Campbell; and nephews, Jon and Vic Helton. There are numerous family members and friends that are survived by Sam. Sam joined the Merchant Marines at 16. At 17, he joined the Marines. In boot camp during WWII, he turned 18. As a career Marine, he spent the next 30 years in service to our country. He loved his God, his family, his country, and the United States Marine Corps. He was an American Hero who will be loved and missed by all. Sam was a retired United States Marine and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Lucerne Valley. Sam loved his country and dedicated his life to his family and his country. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday August 1, 2012 at the Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home, 1668 St. Rt. 28 Goshen, OH 45122, where friends will be received from 10 AM until time of service. Interment Myers Cemetery, Goshen Twp., OH. Family suggests memorial contributions be directed to God' Bible School, 1810 Young St. Cincinnati, OH 45202. The Marine stood and faced God Which must always come to pass He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, you Marine, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?" The Marine squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't Because those of us who carry guns Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep, And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here, They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand, I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand." There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod As the Marine waited quietly, For the judgment of his God, "Step forward now, you Marine, You've borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." Funeral Home: Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Goshen 6655 Edenton Pleasant Plain Rd Pleasant Plain, Ohio United States 45162