On Sunday afternoon, September 22, 2024, Samuel Andrew Fuston Fluker was called to his eternal rest after a brief stay at the Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veteran's Center in Hazard, KY.

One of twelve children, Sam was born on November 9, 1949, in Harlan to Phillip and Jeanette (Robinson) Fluker. He attended Rosenwald School until the time the school was integrated with the Harlan Independent School system. He played basketball and football at HHS and was proud to say that he was Harlan High School's first black quarterback. Sam graduated in 1968 and the following year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After serving two years active duty, during which time he fought in the Vietnam Conflict, Sam re-enlisted in the Army Reserve until 1974. Once he was honorably discharged, Sam began working at National Coil Electric, working in the machine shop. When he met Doris Sweatt he quickly realized he had met his life partner. Sam and Doris were together for more than fifty-one years and very few days of those fifty-one years were spent apart.

Sam never met a stranger. He was a story-teller who loved to visit and fellowship with everyone he came in contact with.  He had definitely been blessed with the 'gift-of-gab'. Always a joker who laughed easily, Sam had a heart of gold. He enjoyed whittling, playing cards and horseshoes, picking Poke, watching the Boston Celtics basketball team, and loved watching old Western movies.  More than all of these, Sam had a fierce love for his family and absolutely adored his grandchildren. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. Everyone who knew Sam loved him.

Sam was preceded in death by his life-long companion, Doris Sweatt; his parents, Phillip and Jeanette Fluker; three sisters: Eunice Hicks, Tracy Fluker, and Barbara K. James; four brothers: Douglas Fluker, Willie Fluker, Lewis McKee, and Terry Jacobs; and a granddaughter, Shianne Burgan.

He leaves to cherish his memory his six children: Tony Sweatt, Harlan; Ericka Young (Reggie), Harlan; Dante Cranford (Brandy), Harlan; Phillip Miller (Jennifer), Georgetown; Barry Hicks, CA; and Anthony Sweatt (Rachel Winn), Harlan; twenty-five grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two sisters: Phyllis Johnson, Lexington, and Paula Patton, Harlan; three brothers: Billy Fluker (Alberta), Wetumpka, AL, Winfred Fluker (Queenie), Cleveland, OH, Duncan Jacobs, Lexington, KY; brothers and sisters-in-love: Bobbie (Larry) Simpson, Jeanette Terry, Luther (Sheila) Cottrell, Wanda Cottrell, Marvin (Kathy) Cottrell, Clarence (Vanessa) Cottrell, Louis (Kimberly) Cottrell, Delacy (Andre) Patton; many nieces and nephews; as well as a host of extended relatives and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony for Sam will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Harlan, KY. Visitation will be from 11:00am – 12:00 noon with the Celebration service beginning at 12:00pm.

Harlan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Samuel Fluker.