Samuel Eric Elson, 30, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on May 10, 2024, at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was the loving husband of Sonja Lee Elson (nee Smith), having shared 7 (almost 8) years of marriage together.
Born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, he was the son of Jean Sanzo (nee LaFauce) and Jay Elson. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2012 and then went on to graduate from New Mexico State University with both a bachelor’s degree (2016) and a master’s degree (2017) in Mechanical Engineering. Samuel was employed at White Sands Missile Range and worked as a Test Engineer.
At a young age, Samuel became certified in scuba. He loved being in the water and sharing his passion for scuba with others. As a young boy, Samuel was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts and went on to earn his Eagle Scout. Throughout high school, he participated in both concert and marching band (where he met and started dating his future wife). Later in life, Samuel became an active member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a historical recreation group.
In July of 2016, Samuel married the love of his life Sonja Lee Elson (nee Smith) at the United Church of Los Alamos. It was, undoubtedly, the happiest day of their lives. Soon after, they settled into their home in Las Cruces, NM. When Samuel wasn’t participating in camping events, diving, travelling, practicing medieval combat techniques, or spending time with his wife and beloved cat and dog, Samuel enjoyed spending his time with friends and family, watching movies, and playing games such as Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, Final Fantasy 14, and other various video, tabletop, or card games. Samuel will be remembered for his passion, energy, incredible intelligence, stubbornness, kindness, and knack for enabling others to join in activities he was passionate about and infecting them with his enthusiasm. He always had an encouraging word to offer, whether to lift someone up when they were feeling down or to offer encouragement when someone thought they couldn’t do something. Samuel’s compassion will live on in the lives and hearts he touched.
Samuel is survived by his wife Sonja Lee Elson (nee Smith); his parents Jean (Dean) Sanzo and Jay (Jennifer) Elson; his brother Ryan Elson; his step-siblings Michelle (John Verdieck) Sanzo, Tanner Kennedy, and Mackenzie Kennedy; his father-in law Roger Smith, his mother-in-law Betty Smith, and his sister-in-law Sheriden Smith; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends; as well as his “fur babies” Gisela (cat) and Paisley (dog). He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents Leo and Rosemary LaFauce, and his paternal grandparents Walter and Donna Elson.
The memorial will be held on June 8th, 2024, at 4pm at Bosque Brewing Co. Telshor Public House in Las Cruces, NM, with interment to follow at a later date at the United Church of Los Alamos columbarium in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Memorial donations can be made to organizations which support appendix cancer awareness, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Siberian Husky Rescue of New Mexico, The Cat’s Meow Adoption Center, or the Society for Creative Anachronism Membership Assistance Fund.