Sammy Coutts

Sammy Lyle Coutts, age 72, of Jackson, Wyoming, died Wednesday, May 20, in Jackson.

Sam was born Nov. 19, 1942, at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California. He was raised on his family’s hunting ranch training bird dogs and so began his passion for hunting. Sam graduated from San Diego City High School in 1960.

He then moved to San Marcos, California, where he attended Palomar College and met Linda McGeragle. They were married for 20 years. He enlisted in the Army in 1963 and went into a Special Forces training group to become an engineer/demolitions man. He was assigned to the Third Special Forces group in Vietnam where he became a member of A-503 Mike Force, the countrywide reaction force for Special Forces. Sam wa s a platoon leader and company commander and later promoted to staff sergeant. Despite being one of the smallest units engaged in the Vietnam conflict, the group flies 20 campaign streamers on its colors.

Soldiers from the group are among the most highly decorated warriors in the history of our nation, including but not limited to Presidential Citations, a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Valorous Unit Award.

After finishing his military career he started Coutts Plastering in north county San Diego, which grew to be one of the largest plastering companies in the area between the years of 1976 to 2000.

Sam took a hunting trip in 1970 and stayed at the Spotted Horse Ranch, south of Jackson, which is where he found his piece of heaven. He loved the area and hunting so much he went into the outfitting business. He was an outfitter for more than 30 years, growing the business into several hunting camps operated as C4 and Camp Creek Outfitters, owned and operated Camp Creek Inn and lastly, the Black Powder Guest Ranch in Bondurant.

Sam continued military training for our country’s elite forces, including the Delta Force, U.S. Navy SEALs and Air Force Special Tactics Units all the way up until two weeks before his passing.

Sam was a dedicated philanthropist and gave everything to the causes he believed in including building the Optimist Club and Little League park in Vista, California, leading Wounded Warriors hunting trips, and serving as an active member on the board of the Jackson Hole Outfitters and Guides Association and the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association. The last 20 years of his life he resided south of town in Porcupine Creek with his cowgirl companion Julie Hagen.

Sammy Coutts is the son of Sam Lyle Coutts and Irene Meeker of San Diego. He is survived by his children, Samuel Fred Coutts and fiancee Allison Williams of Encinitas, California; John and Alison Coutts of Vista, California; and Carlton and Cathy Loewer of Jackson, their mother Linda Coutts-Griffith; his two sisters, Sandra Marciel and Sally Coutts; his four grandchildren, Jake Stockford Coutts, Garret Ray Loewer, Casey Lee Loewer and Savannah Grace Coutts; and his love, Julie Hagen, of Jackson. Sam Coutts gave so much to everything and everyone who knew him. He was one of a kind, and the Hoback valley, Jackson Hole, the state of Wyoming and this country he loved so much,will never be the same without him. His character and larger than life presence will be greatly missed by many.

There will be an informal celebration of his life at 2 p.m. June 20 at the Black Powder Ranch in Bondurant. All who knew him are welcome to attend.