Samuel Mushegan, a follower of Christ who loved his family, went home to be with the Lord early on the morning of March 23, 2025.  He was 83 years old.  Samuel is survived by his second wife Lorene, his son  Mark and his wife Patti, his daughter Katherine Bowman and her husband Tony, his daughter Tammy and her husband Doug Taylor, 9 grandchildren (Alexander Mushegan and Ashley Hutchins; Kathryn Booth, Rachel Soo, Andrew and Matthew Austin; Grant Abbott, Krystal Nicassio, and Ryan Abbott) and 14 great grandchildren (Charli and Remi Mushegan; Tatum Austin, Elijah Soo; Turner, Peter, Hudson, and Valentina Abbott; Dustin, Brayden, and Ashton Nicassio; Oliver, Olivia, and Rylee Abbott).

Samuel Joseph Mushegan was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 28, 1941, to Dorothy and Earl Atkison.  After Earl Atkison left the family, Samuel and his brother David were raised by his mother in the San Bernadino.  There the three of them were taken in by Minister Myrtle Mushegan, who became a second mother to the boys and was a powerful Christian influence.  Samuel attended elementary school in San Bernadino and, after Mrs. Mushegan's passing, the family moved to Fresno.  Samuel went to junior and senior high school in Fresno, where he continued to excel in the area of music.  He loved playing the accordion, violin, and piano.  He then attended West Coast Bible College, where he met Sandra Cunnings.  After Sam and Sandy were married on August 5, 1961, they both traveled in evangelistic work.

Sam was passionate about serving the Lord through music. After they were married, Sam and Sandy were known as the Musical Mushegans, singing gospel songs across the country for Evangelist Ethel Hooke, until they settled in Fresno in 1964 and started a family.  Shortly afterwards, Sam started his pastoral ministry in Rochester, New York, and continued it in San Mateo, California, as pastor of Faith Bible Center. When the family returned to Fresno, Sam started Clovis Christian Center under the guidance of Abbott Loop Christian Center.

In addition to pastoring, Sam worked hard at a variety of jobs.  He learned the printing trade while in San Mateo and then became a house painter under the guidance of his brother David when he returned to Fresno.  He started his own painting company, Clean and Neat Painting.  The business grew to include his son and grandsons as they worked their way through high school and college.  On Jan. 3, 2015, Sam lost the love of his life, Sandy, after a long illness.  Knowing she wouldn't want him to be alone, he met and married Lorene Rau on Aug. 10, 2016.  They spent the next 8 ½ years together, until his passing on March 23.

Sam loved life, and he loved people.  He always saw the best in both.  He loved the Lord and studied Scripture with deep devotion.  Samuel wrote several books about the Bible, ranging from Genesis to Revelation.  One of his greatest joys was talking about the Bible and it's meaning in our lives.  He loved sharing the Gospel.

His family and friends, who loved him deeply, feel a great sense of loss but rejoice in the fact that Samuel is complete and whole, singing and dancing in the presence of Jesus with his beloved Sandy.

In lieu of flowers, Samuel's life would be most honored by your gifts in support of Clovis Christian Center, 3606 N. Fowler Ave, Fresno, CA  93737; Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC  28607; and The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), 977 Centerville Turnpike; Virginia Beach, VA  23463.