On September 29, 2025, Samuel Hunter Kulenek entered into his eternal home and rest with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At the age of 7, Sam made a profession of faith and was baptized. Recently, our joy was made even more full and complete one evening when Sam called to share with us that God had recently drawn him to Himself in full surrender. He knew he was saved. Therefore, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. [“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9]
Sam was always so full of life; he lit up a room the minute he entered with his big infectious smile and wonderful bear hugs. It was difficult to ever discourage him, he always saw hope in every situation, even during his recent illness, he knew God loved him, and he understood God’s perfect plan for his life.
Sam grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. He had a love for all sports, but specifically baseball. He was never satisfied with base hits; it had to be a home run. Throwing strikes he could do, but he was only satisfied with throwing the fastest fast ball in the league, which he did. He was also a phenomenal musician. He could play piano, guitar, violin, drums, the top of a table, the back of a seat… any place he could put his hands, he could and would make music. He grew up loving to sing and make music with his friends in Charlottesville.
After high school, Sam enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. “I want to walk in the boots of the troops before I lead them” was his reasoning for the direction he was taking. He was awarded the title “United States Marine” at Paris Island, SC in 2014, where he was meritoriously promoted to LCpl. After boot camp, Sam was awarded a chance to become a Reconnaissance Marine. Sam entered the Basic Reconnaissance Course at the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, California and was awarded successful completion on April 29, 2015.
Sam was ordered to Camp Lejeune, NC where he became not only a highly trained Marine Recon operator, trained in surveillance, amphibious reconnaissance, special insertion and extraction, he also became parachute qualified completing jump school, and a combatant diver, graduating from Marine/Navy dive school. He served as Team Leader and led and mentored his fellow Marines with a servant’s heart. Sam rose to the rank of SSgt and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Gulf of Aden), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2).
After serving two tours in the Marine Corps, Sam was honorably discharged in 2023, and as a civilian he began working in the Defense Industry. He became a Field Service Representative for Aires Defense where he was able to contribute his invaluable tactical-level expertise. He later joined Catalyst Solutions where he served as a Training Specialist specializing in Communication and Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance equipment in support of the Marine Corps and Navy Information Warfare Center-Atlantic. Until his passing, Sam dedicated countless hours “off the clock” to refining system employment.
Sam was an excellent cook. He planned meals for all our holidays and get-togethers; extravagant well thought out meals. He loved to cook, but he said once what he loved the most about cooking was seeing the joy from others as they tasted what he had made.
Sam was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Glenice Briggs (PapPap); his paternal grandfather, Tony Kulenek (Gramps) and his paternal grandmother, Barbara Kulenek (Granny).
He is survived by his parents, Pete and Kathy Kulenek; his brother, Matthew Kulenek and his wife, Rebecca, and his sister, Alaney Kulenek; his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Briggs, along with other family members and many wonderful friends.
Sam brought us so much joy. He will forever be in our hearts and thoughts.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Faith Family Fellowship, 7100 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL, at 12:30PM. There will be a time of visitation before the service beginning at 11:30AM. Interment will follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Safe Harbor Pregnancy Medical Center at https://www.safeharborpmc.org/. Please help honor Sam by supporting this ministry which advances the sanctity of human life.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Pete, Kathy, Matt and Alaney,
Randy and I send our deepest condolences to you. There are no words to make this easy. Our hearts are breaking for you. We will always remember how kind and fun loving Sam was. He had such an infectious smile. He will be deeply missed.
We are praying for peace and comfort during the days to come.
We love you. May God wrap his loving arms around you all.
You still owe me a roll, brother. I’ll catch you up on the other side!
Dear Kuleneks,
I was deeply saddened to hear this news about Sam. I can’t imagine what you’re going through and my heart is with you during this incredibly difficult loss. Admittedly, I had not spoken to Sam in a number of years but I wanted to share some of the good memories I had with Sam growing up in Charlottesville, Virginia. Sam was one of kind – he was a wildman. I think he was the first kid I knew that was as wild as I was. We loved to play music, run around the woods, and play baseball and whatever other sport we could get our hands in your massive back yard or in Hollymead at our home.
I’ll always remember the TWO times – once at Northside and once at Lane – that Sam hit a home run and I was up to bat after him and followed his home run with my own. I always thought that was strange in a kind of positive way that wasn’t strange at all – it felt like it was meant to be and I’m thankful to have shared that experience with your son and brother. I have another fond memory of staying over one weekend at your home and feeling like a part of the family – playing a board game or maybe rock band and appreciating Sam’s friendship and intellect while doing those things as well.
I heard Sam had an impressive career in the marines after we grew apart and I’m not surprised at all. It seems like Sam excelled at anything he put his mind to (not to mention his fastball – we were always thankful he was on our team). I know the recitation of these memories can’t bring him back or right any wrongs – but I wanted you to know that these memories live on with me and a piece of Sam always will. I wish you comfort and peace in this turbulent period as you lay Sam to rest. May he rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Sam and his brother Max from Chick-fil-A. I’ll be praying for the whole family. May God bless you and comfort you and your time I need God bless
Kathy, Pete and family,
Our hearts go out to you!!
We are so sorry to hear about Sam!!
May God comfort and give you peace and strength at this time of loss!
You are in our thoughts and prayers!!
We love y’all!
Our heart breaks, hard, for the Kulenek family, on the hearing of Sam’s passing. To Lynn and I, the news was sudden. We didn’t know that Sam was ill for weeks. Regardless, I don’t think anyone thought that he would pass on to the other side — the better side — so abruptly, so young, so strong. We interacted with Sam a handful of times, last around ten years or so ago, I think just before or just after he joined the Marine Corps. I remember him as poised, focused, sure in the path God had him on in that moment. Pete and Kathy often spoke openly of their equal love for all three of their children, and how proud of them all they have been. I’m sure, like all of us, each has their strengths and weaknesses. I didn’t know Sam enough to detect what his weaknesses were, but his strengths shined through. One doesn’t achieve what Sam did in the Marine Corps without manifesting some serious moral, physical, and spiritual strength. I greatly regret that I did not spend more time with him, and I know that will be a great regret for many others who knew him. I pray for the strength of the Kulenek family in this very, very hard time, and all the time hereafter. You know that you will all be reunited in Heaven someday, in the blink of an eye. We miss you guys greatly, and wish we lived closer together in this moment, especially, so that we could be comforting friends to you.
Dear Kathy, Pete, Matthew and Alaney, We are so sorry for this unimaginable loss of Sam. Reading the tribute was amazing; what a wonderful life he lived with such profound impact on many people! Well-done indeed.
I will always treasure those sweet years we had in Charlottesville, at First Baptist and the children came to learn of Christ. We will continue to pray for you. Our love and blessings, Kaye, Kevin and the girls
Dear Kulenek family,
My heart aches with you all with the passing of Sam. Him and I went through some of the hardest months of our lives together. The challenges we faced together as roommates built an unbreakable bond between us. Through every grueling moment, Sam’s humor and lightheartedness kept many of us going. Sam had a knack for comic relief when the days felt impossible. I’ll never forget his loyalty, jokes, laughter, and his strong-willed attitude. I still wear the watch Sam gifted me when we graduated Recon school as a reminder of our friendship and brotherhood.
To stand beside him at his wedding was such an honor. Meeting your kind and incredible family is something I will always remember and appreciate. I wish I could be there to pay my respects to him and offer support to you all, but please know that my family and I with you in spirit.
Sam’s memory will live on forever in you all and in all of us who had the privilege to know him.
Fair winds and following seas Sam.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Josh, Ailbhe, and Niall Clardy
.Dearest Kulenek Family,
We cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. We cannot even imagine your grief.
We remember Sam as a wonderful young man when he, and Davy, and the “guys” all hung out together!!
One thing we know—- you WILL see him again. That is not just our hope, we know it to be true..
Until then, you are always in our prayers!! We love you all,
Pete and Tina Chapman
Sam Kulenek made an outsized impact on the world around him, and for the past year our Charleston-based team was blessed and privileged to experience Sam’s friendship and influence. He was deeply respected by students, coworkers, and leaders alike—not just for his talent, but for how he treated people. Sam had an inspiring way of lifting everyone up. He brought energy, kindness, and a sense of family community to our team.
We deeply miss him, but his impact is still felt every day. Sam made us better, and we’re grateful for the time we had with him.
We do not grieve as those who have no hope … encourage one another with these words.
[Scripture extract from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18]
Submitted on behalf or Sam’s Friends, “Family”, and Teammates at Catalyst Solutions