Samuel Robert Judge, 88, of Raleigh, passed away Thursday, January 4th, at Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home in Raleigh. Born August 5, 1929, in Enfield, NC, he was the youngest and last surviving child of the late Samuel Dunn Judge and Mary Linda Moore Judge of Halifax County.

Sam is survived by daughter Kay Judge Piner and husband Bill, of New Bern; son, Steven “Steve” Robert Judge and wife, Gloria, of Siler City; and daughter, Linda Judge-McRae and husband Norman, of Knoxville, TN; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and wife, Helen Herring Judge, of Sampson County, whom he wed in March 2017.

He was preceded in death by nine siblings and his wife of 64 years, Christine Davis Judge, in 2011.

Sam graduated from Scotland Neck High School, and after a period of farming, he became a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Upon graduation from patrol school, he was assigned to Troop B in Fayetteville. He was named Trooper of the Year in 1958. He was promoted to Inspector with NCDMV in Dunn where he worked for nine years, and in 1969 he was promoted to Supervisor and assigned again to Fayetteville. Sam worked in various roles in state government, including Assistant Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and in the DARE program within the Department of Education until his retirement in 1985. Sam was very proud of his service to the state of North Carolina and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Following retirement, he worked part-time as an agent with Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.

Sam was a committed and devoted member of Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh. He enjoyed serving as a deacon and took the responsibility very seriously. He also enjoyed his Sunday School class and participating in activities with the senior adults. He was an active member of the Millbrook Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star where he was a past Worthy Patron.

Sam will be remembered for his outgoing and welcoming personality. He loved and was very proud of his family. He loved talking to people and never met a stranger. Always the farmer, he excelled in growing flowers and vegetables and loved to share them with friends and family. He and wife, Helen, kept busy visiting church members and socializing with friends. He lived life to the fullest, right up to this very recent and sudden health event.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m.

Flowers are welcome; however memorials can be made to the Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.