Samuel Arthur Bernal, 65, of Mountain Home, Idaho, passed away on March 2, 2025. Samuel was born May 14, 1959, to his parents, Soledad “Sandra” Ramirez and Arturo M. Bernal. He attended school at Las Cruces High School and graduated New Mexico Class of 1977. Samuel attended Community College of the Air Force 1992 in Aerospace Management. He was an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Honor Graduate in 2009, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Management.
In 1989, Samuel married LiAnn Fields in Las Vegas, Nevada. He resided in Texas, New Mexico, California, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, and Idaho.
Samuel was employed in the United States Air Force and retired as a MSGT after 22 years of service. He worked mostly in Logistics and Safety. After retiring from the military, he was a Safety Officer for Skookum and White Sands Missile Range. He later continued to work for the Air Force as a civilian GS worker at Canon AFB and Mountain Home AFB.
An avid volunteer was of utmost importance throughout Sam’s life. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts in Las Cruces and gave back to the organization as a Scoutmaster for many years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was a Red Cross volunteer for years too. Some of Sam’s special interests included world travel and cuisine. He visited many counties including Spain, Germany, Australia, Greece, Kuwait, Turkey, Russia, Somalia, New Zealand, England, Switzerland, France, and Qatar.
Samuel was raised Catholic and converted to Seventh Day Adventist later in life. He was also affiliated with the Order of the Arrow (Eagle Scout).
Samuel is survived by his wife, LiAnn, daughter, Shanna, and grandchildren, Logan and Cheyanne (Boise, Idaho). Former wife, Elena, daughter, Elena, son, Julian, and four grandchildren all of Madrid, Spain. Siblings: Scott Bernal, Sandra Bernal, Sonja Huens all in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Bonnie Vargas (Casper, Wyoming), Susie Morris (Evansville, WY), and Debi Neumiller (Los Angeles, CA), and numerous nieces and nephews. Samuel is preceded in death by his parents, Arturo and Soledad Bernal, sister, Shirley Torres, and brother Stanley Bernal.
A committal service be held, 1:45 pm, Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Boise, Idaho.