Samuel Allan Cortright

Samuel Allan Cortright, 32, passed away on September 5, 2019. He was born January 9, 1987, to Bret S. Cortright and Jacqueline E. (Davis) Cortright in Overland Park, KS. He was a brother to John, Bret, Jacob, and Margaret Cortright. Sam grew up in Shawnee, KS, and graduated from Shawnee Mission North in 2005. He was an accomplished musician.  His lifetime enthusiasm for music started with the upright bass in grade school, which led him to become a member of the KC Youth Symphony for several years.  His passion grew and Sam found himself in various jazz bands both in and out of school. As an adult, Sam discovered his unique talent to ‘play anything' and began collecting acoustic guitars.

In addition to music, Sam loved anything with an engine and would find himself taking them apart. His family often found the parts. He also enjoyed spending time with friends, running, swimming, biking trails, rock climbing, and working out at the gym. No matter what he set out to do, Sam gave it his all. Not one to waste a day, he was very fond of waking up early to enjoy a cup of coffee, grateful for the beginning of the new day.

Sam was devoted to his family and enjoyed coming home to visit. He treasured sharing time with his family, especially his three nieces and nephew. They all loved climbing on their Uncle Sam. While busy with jobs all over the country, he kept a map of the US at home, putting push pins in all the places he had visited, lived at, or worked in. The map was filling up quickly. He loved to travel, but cherished his time at home.

Sam's drive to become a pilot led him to learn as much as he could about flying. Working with several aviation crews throughout the US, he gained experience working with aerial pipeline patrol, agriculture aerial application, and wild land fire suppression.  Sam enjoyed flying just to be flying, and would fly every minute of every day if he could.

Throughout his life, Sam met many people with different backgrounds, personalities, beliefs, values, and hobbies, but he never met a stranger. His generosity touched the lives of every single person that he encountered and he has impacted each and every one of us in a different way. No matter what he was doing, he never passed an opportunity to show compassion to others. Now he flies in the clouds above, watching over everyone he loved and left behind.

Sam was preceded in death by his brother, John William Cortright II, his paternal grandparents, John W. Cortright and M. Mae Cortright, and maternal grandfather, William E. Davis.

Sam is survived by his siblings: Bret S. (Jessica) Cortright, Jr., Jacob A. (Maria) Cortright, and Margaret E. Cortright. He has 3 nieces and 1 nephew: Emily Cortright, Maura Cortright, Sadie Cortright, and John (Jack) Cortright.  Sam never had any children of his own, but dearly loved his nieces and nephew.

Friends may call at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Basehor, KS, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday evening, September 11.  A rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Basehor, KS, at 10:00 am Thursday, September 12, with Father Richard McDonald as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Shawnee, KS.  A funeral luncheon will be held at Holy Angels Parish Hall following the burial.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to the Sam Cortright Memorial Fund, which proceeds will be used to establish a scholarship in Sam's name for aspiring pilots.  Contributions may be sent to Southwind Aero, LLC, in care of First State Bank & Trust, 15506 Pinehurst Drive, Basehor, KS  66007.  Contributions will be used to establish a scholarship fund in Sam's name for aspiring pilots.

OR

Our Lady Queen of the Angels Adoration Chapel, in care of Holy Angels Catholic Church, 15438 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor, KS  66007.  Contributions will be used for the adoration chapel building fund.