Samuel J. Eatherton was
born on July 15, 1974, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, son of Lawrence and
Karen Eatherton. He began his undergraduate studies at Concordia College,
Seward, Nebraska, in the fall of 1992. There, he and his soon-to-be wife
Lois participated in the band and choral programs and studied organ under
Dr. Charles Ore. They graduated in May of 1996, both with degrees in
Elementary Education (Music Concentration). After getting married the same
summer, Sam and Lois moved to their first call at Trinity Lutheran Church
and School in St. Joseph, Michigan, where they served for four years. In
the summer of 2000, they moved to Dallas, where Sam was installed as
Minister of Music at Zion. In the fall of 2003, Sam completed his Master
of Church Music Degree at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois,
receiving the Richard Hillert Award in Composition. Sam and Lois's
marriage of 10 years has been blessed with four children: Hannah, Rebekah,
Ruth, and David. In 2005 Sam’s composition O Splendor of the Father’s
Light was published by Concordia Publishing House. Sam teaches music to
3rd through 8th Graders at Zion, plans worship, and directs the adult
choir and adult handbell choir.