Lauren Alaina’s step-dad, Sam Ramker, passed away on Oct. 21, after battling Stage IV cancer since March.
Lauren shared the news via Instagram, stating: “My stepdad, Sam, went to heaven at one o’clock this morning. He was the purest example of how to love and live life fully. His last few hours were some of the most amazing moments I know I will ever have the privilege of witnessing. He opened his eyes last night. They shined the brightest I’ve ever seen anyone’s eyes shine, and he said, ‘Jesus.’ We said, ‘What do you see Sam?’ He said, ‘It’s so beautiful.’ Mom asked him who he saw and he told her a bunch of people, including his mama. He later said, ‘I love you all. I found it.’ My mom asked him what he found and he said, ‘Heaven. I’ve got to go.’ An hour later he went to be with the Lord. I want this story to be an example of how real God is. We are only here for a short amount of time, and we have to live like there is no tomorrow. I want us to all be a little more like Sam. He was strong. He was the most compassionate person in the world. He would go without to help a stranger. He was a great dad. Now he is with the best Father in the universe. Thank you to everyone who has supported our family in this time. We appreciate the love, donations, and prayers that we have received.”
In order to spend time with Sam during his final days, Lauren cancelled her concerts on Oct. 19 in Sugar Land, Texas, and Oct. 20 in New Braunfels, Texas, as part of Cole Swindell and Dustin Lynch’s Reason to Drink Another Tour.