On Wednesday, November 3rd, Henry Wood Ayer, Jr. of Newport News went to the big car lot in the sky at the ripe young age of 80. Big Sam, as he was known to friends and family, made the journey peacefully from his bed, hands clasped across his chest, likely in gratitude of the Virginian political landscape getting back on the Right side of history the day prior. Born before the close of WW II, he survived a plane crash, countless auto accidents, a stabbing, a shooting, Covid-19 and other brushes with death, but he ultimately succumbed to natural causes at his home surrounded by family.

A native of Hampton, Virginia, Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor Rosser and Henry Wood Ayer Sr., his brother, Dois Edward Ayer, his grandsons, Adam Price and Brandon Hodges, great-grandson Kaiden Chappell, and his beloved Jack Russell terriers, Mac and Harley. He leaves behind his aunt Lil Moore; seven children, Henry (Karen), Marianne, Chris (Leslie), Krysten, Michael (Michelle), William (Casie), and Sammy; sixteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a handful of ex-wives; and two dogs, Bailey and Luna who stood watch loyally by his side as he crossed over.

For Sam, work was life, and he spent the majority of his waking hours in service to others. As Vice Chairman of the Pomoco Auto Group, Sam jumpstarted hundreds of careers and put tens of thousands more in new and used vehicles all across Hampton Roads and even created a few millionaires off the back of his insight and tireless labor. For many years he was the biggest used car buyer on the East coast and made conversion vans the most sought after vehicle on the market. One of the Pomoco locations, Poquoson Motors, was also the biggest Winnebago dealer in Virginia when Sam was growing the brand in the seventies with his uncle and POMOCO Chairman, Dois Rosser.  He also worked briefly at the Newport News Shipyard where rumor has it he once leapt off a Goliath crane tied to a rope to avoid losing a game of tag.  He was one of the first volunteer fire captains in Northampton, which was the spark that caused him to continue giving back to the community quietly throughout his life.

Sam often combed through the obituary section of the Daily Press and sent flowers anonymously to families, he covered tuition costs for private education for kids he barely knew, he donated vehicles to schools and other organizations, paid for reconstructive surgery for the victims of horrific abuses, and he always operated from a place of strength and humility, even when he himself personally struggled.

Sam was so many other things in life. He was a first class tennis player and athlete, which at 300 pounds came as a huge surprise to his competitors. He was instrumental in keeping fast pitch softball on the peninsula for over a decade.  He loved fine food and is on record for shuttering the doors of at least one all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant.  He was quick witted and loved a good joke or limerick. He was an incredibly loyal friend who kept most of his circle from early childhood, but Sam was also sensitive and could have a temper if his loyalty and integrity were tested or questioned.

In his later years, Sam's biggest passion in life was undoubtedly his family of whom he was fiercely protective. As any one of them will tell you, if he was worried about them, 127 missed calls in a row were in the realm of possibility. He himself rarely ever missed an incoming ring and was quick to support his children in any way he possibly could, some might say to a fault, but no critic ever did more. He also leaves a goddaughter, cousins, and nieces and nephews across the country and was especially proud of his Northern heritage spending many summers as a youth at the lake house in Maine.

While Sam may not have been the most outwardly religious churchgoing man, he was incredibly spiritual and had an active relationship with God, praying regularly for an opportunity to see his friends and family again who had gone before him. Anyone who truly knew him and his humble acts of service knows he will.  Sam was very loved and will be missed and remembered by so many he left behind whose lives he touched.

With respect to the ongoing pandemic, a small family service was held, however a celebration of life will take place at a later date in 2022 where we hope you will join us to remember the legend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northampton Volunteer Fire Company (1221 Todds Lane, Hampton, Virginia, 23669) or a charity of your choice on Sam's behalf.