Samuel “Sam” Walter Kiker
June 18, 1934 — December 24, 2023
Obituary
Samuel Walter Kiker, 89, of Johns Creek GA, peacefully went home to be with his Lord Jesus on December 24, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was born to the late Josephine Francis Hagen Kiker and William Calvin Kiker on June 18, 1934 in Jacksonville, Texas.
Sam is the youngest of three brothers. He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph Calvin Kiker (Billy Mae) of Beaumont, TX and James Richard Kiker (Jackie) of Corpus Christi, TX. Sam is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Ann Kiker. They married on January 25, 1958 in Hot Springs, AR. They have three children, William Casey Kiker (Amy) of Liberty, SC, Frieda Ann Heyward (Ned) of Johns Creek, GA, James Walter Kiker (Susan) of Johns Creek, GA. Grandchildren who were the light of his life. Preston Heyward (fiance Zoe), Clayton Heyward (Memorie, and their son Henry), Carly Heyward, Sarah Kiker Robinson (Russ), Emily Kiker, Samantha McDonough, and Aaron Hodge.
Sam graduated from Texas A&M in 1956 with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering. After college, he worked as a Safety Engineer in an underground mine owned by Magnet Cove Barium Corp. He joined Nalco Chemical Company in 1958 and moved to Anaco, Venezuela where he sold specialty chemicals to the petroleum industry. He returned to Chicago, IL in 1962 to work in the International Division of Nalco as their Export Manager and Technical Sales Engineer. His travels took him to all the major cities and countries of the world working with Nalco’s subsidiaries and major customers. In 1968 he went to work with the newly established Chemical Division of Georgia-Pacific Corp in Portland, OR. In 1972, he moved to Atlanta as Southeast Regional Manager of the Chemical Division. In 1976 he became National Sales Manager of the Chemical Division and moved to Houston, TX. He returned to Atlanta, GA in 1978 as Eastern Sales Manager for G-P. He took over the marketing and sales of the PVC Resin operations soon thereafter. In 1984 G-P sold their chemical assets to a group of employees in a leveraged buy-out, and the Chemical Division became Georgia Gulf Corporation. Sam became manager of Executive Sales responsible for sales to major customers group. He was also the Business Manager for the Gas Chemical operations in Plaquemine, LA.
He retired in 1997 at the age of 63 to start a new phase of his life of volunteer work in the community and church. He was an Elder at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA as well as a group leader at Daybreak for Men, President of the adult Sunday School Victors Class, and a member of a discipleship group.
Sam was a very dedicated golfer. He was twice the Seniors Champion at the Atlanta Athletic Club, and won the Club Championship at Timber Trails in Lyons, IL, Progress Downs in Portland, OR, Snapfinger Woods Golf Club in Lithonia, GA, and the Country Club of the South in Alpharetta, GA. For years he held the course record of 48 on a Par 54 Executive course in Lake Oswego, OR. His greatest honor in golf was becoming a member of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. He was also a member of the St. Andrews Golf Club in St. Andrews, Scotland and Prestwick Golf Club in Prestwick, Scotland. He won the Peter Scott Graham trophy for low score in the annual Crosby tournament over the Old Course in St. Andrews. Sam was President of the Duffers group at the Atlanta Athletic Club in 2012. He was able to shoot his age the first time at age 68 and in his later years broke his age with regularity. Several times he shot 10 strokes below his age.
Sam’s greatest reward was in 1997 when he suffered a heart attack while playing golf in St. Andrews. This led him to realize that life is short and his desire to live in eternity prompted him to investigate Christianity and he became a believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His fruit was manifested by a changed life and working to bring others to Christ by his example and witness.
In Lieu of Flowers
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a charity of your choice.