Ensign Samuel Stephen Cleghorn, aged 22 years old residing in Virginia Beach, formerly of Jensen Beach and Palm City Florida, died tragically in a fatal motor vehicle accident in Virginia Beach on Saturday, October 3.

"Sam," son of Gary Cleghorn and Robyn Vanover, was born in Joliet, Illinois on November 9, 1997.

He is a 2016 graduate of Jensen Beach High School where he participated in Air Force JROTC, band drumline, and Lacrosse. Sam was the recipient of the Joe Kordick Youth Character Award, Congressional Award, and numerous Air Force JROTC awards. While in high school, he loved being an executive intern with an Exceptional Student Education and disabled learning classroom. He was also passionate about learning and using American Sign Language.

Sam graduated this past spring (2020) from the University of North Florida with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in History. While attending University of North Florida, he was also enrolled at Jacksonville University where he was a member of the Navy ROTC. Upon completion of his officer training program, he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an Ensign on May 1, 2020.

Sam was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia where he was training to be a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS Mason (DDG-87).

Sammy loved anything that had to do with the water. When home in Jensen Beach, you could always find him at the US Sailing Center. He loved to do all types of diving, fishing, surfing, and hanging out at the sandbar with friends. Sam also enjoyed online gaming and target shooting.

Everyone who ever met Sam loved him and was immediately touched by his infectious smile. He has a close group of friends that were like family and also considered him part of their family.

One of the most exciting times of his life was when he got to spend time at the Fallon, Nevada Navy base where he was part of the filming for the upcoming Top Gun 2 Maverick film. Keep your eye out for him in the skies!

Sam is survived by his father, Gary Cleghorn (Stuart, Florida); his mother, Robyn Vanover (Jensen Beach, Florida); his step-father Robert Vanover (Jensen Beach, Florida); his sister, Emily Cleghorn (Warsaw, Poland); his step-sister, Emily Richardson (Charlotte, North Carolina); his maternal grandparents, Jim and Phyllis Harvey (Lewisburg, West Virginia); numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a community of extremely close friends. He is preceded in death by Donald and Nancy Cleghorn, Scott Cleghorn, and Summers and Berdeen Webster.

We wish to thank all of the individuals who helped shape Sam's character, especially his role models in the U.S. Navy and ROTC programs. We are blessed to have co-parented with many of Sam's friends' parents. Sam was everyone's son and will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that everyone participate in an act of charity outside of their comfort zone. If you feel compelled to donate, Sam would have appreciated donations to the following organizations.

1. US Sailing Center

Donations may be made in Sam's memory to one of Sam's favorite places, the US Sailing Center. You may mail a check or donate online. The US Sailing Center Martin County is a 501C-3 non-profit community sailing center.  You may designate how your donation may be used. Scholarships will always make a difference in another child's life.

Online:  www.usscmc.org click "Donate Now" or go to this link https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=308547&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=https%3a%2f%2fadmin.e2rm.com%2f

Mailing address:

US Sailing Center Martin County

attention: Sam Cleghorn Memorial Fund

1955 NE Indian River Drive

Jensen Beach, FL 34957

2. S. Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida

Everyone who knew Sam knew how proud he was of this country and our armed forces. Anytime someone would come in from out of town, and several times just because, he would take them to the Navy Seal Museum and give them an incredibly detailed tour of everything on display at the museum.

Donations can be made online here: https://www.navysealmuseum.org/support or mailed directly to Lisa Fulton at the address below. Please note Sam Cleghorn in the memo line of the check so they can track his donations. All donations will receive a tax receipt/thank you letter.

Navy SEAL Museum

3300 North Hwy A1A

Fort Pierce, FL 34949

772.595.5845 x 204

Memorial services will be held at Forest Hills Funeral home at 2001 SW Murphy Road, Palm City, FL 34990 on Sunday, October 18. Public visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 PM and the memorial service will begin at 2:30 PM.

The service will also be available via Zoom using the following information. Please click the link below and a window will open the live Zoom feed. If prompted to enter a meeting ID, please use the number listed below. Please turn off your video and microphone for the service.

Sam Cleghorn's Memorial Service

Oct 18, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time

https://zoom.us/j/93870822508

Meeting ID: 938 7082 2508

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.