Hazelrig, Samuel C., Capt., USAF (Ret.), was born Birmingham, Alabama, March 9, 1941; passed away, May 13, 2014. Predeceased by his parents, Jay Bee “Sam” Hazelrig, Frances Carlton Hazelrig. Survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Gabrielle Ayala, son, C. Miles Hartnett, daughters Lesli Hartnett, Molly Hazelrig (Colorado), Kim Davis (Todd), granddaughters, Avery, Shelby, Lacey; and dear brother Thomas R. Hazelrig.
Sammy’s family moved to Tampa in 1954 where he attended Wilson Junior High School and graduated from Plant High School in 1958. He attended the University of Florida where he was a renowned ATO. He joined the Air Force in October 1964. Went to Vietnam where he flew 258 missions, 138 of which were north of the DMZ, in an F-4. His call name was “Miami Sammy.” He was a member of the Red River Rats; he flew Wild Weasel aircraft assigned to Stormy FAC (Forward Air Command), flying over 50,000 miles under 5,000 feet out of Danang, South Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, among other medals.
After retiring from the Air Force he went to work as a food broker in the family business, Dulin Brokerage Company.
Music always filled the house. He loved folk songs in particular and could sing the words to all the songs. Sammy was an avid reader and science fiction was his favorite. He was never surprised by “new” scientific discoveries because he had already read about them. His laughter and story telling was legendary. His exemplary war record notwithstanding, Sammy was a very gentle, loving and kind free spirit. His true loves were his family and friends. It has been said that everyone Sam ever met is still his friend.
The family requests that no flowers be sent and any donations please be made in Sammy’s name to the Wounded Warriors Foundation
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
We will miss you so. Until we meet again, you will always live on in songs and beautiful (and very very fun) memories. Knowing you truly changed the course of my life. Fly free now. See you on the other side.
I have been struggling with what to say about you my dear friend. You touched so many, we are all lost at the idea of a world without you. I see you sitting at a large table, with a drink and a smoke telling one of your infamous stories. Always the center of the event, with your apron, cooking a wonderful pot of something. You are now reunited with Dr. Lou, who you missed so much, and so many of our dear departed friends. I thank you and your lovely wife, Gabrielle for allowing Doug and I to be part of the family. Beloved friend, we will never forget you! RIP
You can’t say words about this man, at least that come close to his true essence. If you knew him, that was enough. Kind, generous, genuine, thoughtful. Yeah, one of my first encounters with Sam was when he shot me with a BB gun in Swann Circle and I chased him home on our bicycles and shot him in return inside his garage. His mother told him to “stay away from that crazy!”. He was in love with my sister in high school (and forever) and would call her endlessly and sing through the phone, things like “Yes, I’m the great Pretender”. When I got to UF and pledged ATO Sammy was already a legend. I think he started many of the traditions and (bad) habits pledges and brothers couldn’t resist. Alas, anyone speaking of him sounded in awe and totally enamored with his charisma. He loved mischief we could all enjoy. None of us could believe he became a Vietnam fighter pilot. But he did.
Anyway, he introduced me to all the great things in life, Mount Gay rum, Haagen Das ice cream, how to roast a pork loin with mojo, and other memorable stuff.
Sam lived his life just like he wanted to live it, and encouraged others to do the same. He was easily forgiven. He never spoke an unkind word to me about anyone, even praising some rather unpraisables. He was proud of his family to a fault. He loved my sister dearly. An incurable romantic, a deep thinker, a walking Wikipedia. So I asked him once what this “rock ’n roll” thing was really all about and he said, Gabe, because it is so “irreverent”. So, Sammy, I guess you fit that mold, as well, my friend, and brother (in-law) and more.
It is a fact. He changed every life he touched, even a little, for the better, and that is saying a lot.
See, I told you words wouldn’t work.
So, so long, Sam. God speed you home, now you can “RTB” (return to base). Like you used to say, you can sleep when you die. Rest in peace, my friend and mentor. My sorrow for my loss is tempered that you are now without pain. See you later. Roger that. Out.
Sammy was a friend. I remember the day I first met him, I was a PW consultant in a three piece suit visiting my new girl friend Carol eventually my wife and, as it turned out, former girlfriend of Sammy’s, at her apartment. The door bell rang, Carol opened the door and two of the most scruffy people I ever saw walked in. Sammy and Tommy Lenfestey; just off a sailboat they recently shuttled from the islands. In spite of myself, I liked him instantly. He taught me how to make mojo ribs and a great gumbo. He was smart, kind and a real gentleman. He will be missed. He was so well read I feel a bit overwhelmed in trying to think of an appropriate passage to commemorate his passage to a better place but here goes:
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
— Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
Sammy, I’ll catch you on the flip side.
Much love,
Doug
God speed, dear friend. Take to the skies and watch over us; we’ll keep you in our hearts and ever be Gabrielle’s friends.