Samuel Bigelow McCleary saw pixies where others saw dragonflies, found beauty in harshness and ran headlong into life before others had even set their bags down. He loved his family, took comfort in fantasy and was particularly good friends with an asshole cat named Raymond.

The 25-year-old died May 10, 2026, in Los Angeles after years of struggles with mental illness and addiction.

 
Samuel was born Nov. 7, 2000, in Lawrence, Kansas, to Kelly Anderson and Chad McCleary. He and his sister, Lucy, grew up in the Lawrence area, surrounded by family who loved him fiercely through laughter and tears, chaos and care.

 
Samuel was funny, witty and deeply silly, family members said, a free spirit who moved through the world in his own way. Kelly called him “too smart for his own good” and inclined to ask forgiveness rather than permission. He loved Renaissance festivals, fantasy novels, fencing and archery, and stories about magic, survival and worlds beyond this one. “Dune” and “Lord of the Rings” were special favorites. He wore Celtic knots and Elvish language messages tattooed on his arms and hands.
Lucy remembers a loud, rambunctious little brother who grew into someone strikingly soft-spoken, with a voice that family members said sometimes barely rose above a whisper. Samuel was “not of this world,” she said, and was drawn to symbolism and questions larger than himself. In recent years, he also surrounded himself with Bibles, tarot cards, runestones and books exploring spirituality, addiction and meaning.

 
Chad described his son as someone who experienced the world differently than he did. “I’m two-dimensional,” Chad said. “He was three-dimensional.” Father and son shared a love of gaming, playing “Halo” and “The Lord of the Rings” on the original Xbox.

 
Samuel was a talented artist and thrived at the Lawrence Art Center and in school art classes, where his high school teachers regularly selected his work for display. He made collages, mixed his own music and created artwork and took photographs that family members described as abstract, darker and deeply thoughtful.

 
He used music as a language of his own, often sharing parts of himself that did not always surface in conversation. Carefully curated playlists and live shows remained central to his life. Even across the miles, Samuel reached out to family members with songs that carried moods, memories and quiet pieces of himself.

Chad and Kelly hope that honesty about Samuel’s struggles might help others get help for addiction. Through years of setbacks, hope and uncertainty, Samuel’s family never stopped showing up for him. “He tried. He tried really hard to escape,” Chad said. “But something had a hold on him and would drag him right back to where he was.”

Family members said Samuel continued imagining a different future for himself. In recent months, he talked about earning his GED, joining the Navy, traveling and building a steadier life.

On Samuel’s final day, which was also Mother’s Day and his father’s birthday, he made sure to call his mother, father and sister. Those closest to him believe he understood he was dying and wanted to make sure the people he loved heard from him one last time.

Samuel is survived by his mother, Kelly Anderson; father, Chad McCleary (Kim); sister, Lucy McCleary; paternal grandmother, Twyla Weien; and a large extended family including aunts Diannia Affalter, Gayle Anderson, Cindy Anderson, Susan Anderson and Patti Anderson; uncles Tom Anderson II (Pam) and Mark McCleary (Pam); and many cousins, including Kennz, Chrome, Daniel, Sarah, Katelyn, Brian, Scott, Kimberly, Melanie, Callan, Trey, Matthew and Emily, along with their spouses, children and extended families. He was preceded in death by grandparents and family members whose love shaped him.

In honor of Samuel’s memory, his family hopes others who are struggling will seek help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support for mental health, emotional distress, suicidal thoughts and substance use. Help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.

A celebration of Samuel’s life is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. June 5, 2026, at Baker Wetlands Discovery Center. Guests are welcome to come and go anytime during the event.

 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to support the Baker University Wetlands through Baker University.