James Marion Sampson

James M. Sampson, age 84, of Halfway, Missouri passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri after suffering a heart attack. James honorably served his country during WWII on the Navy battleship USS R.K. Huntington. He loved to tell the story of guarding President Harry Truman as he signed the armistice ending the war. On November 28, 1945 he married Maxine in Long Lane, Missouri. James spent his whole life in Halfway living on the farm he and Maxine purchased in 1947 as soon as he got home from the war. There he was a stockman. In younger years he built many barns for people in the community. James was an avid athlete in high school and went to all of his childrens baseball, softball, and basketball games. In his later years he sold insurance for Polk County Mutual for 30 years retiring in 2005. James also loved the great outdoors. He hunted, fished, and always raised an enormous garden. He wanted to make sure his family as well as all the widows had enough food. He was always available to help whenever someone was in need. James was a servant of the Lord. He was saved and baptized as a teenager and remained a faithful member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church all his life, serving many years as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and song leader. James was always at church 30 minutes early every time the church doors were open if his health allowed. He was a charter member of the Halfway Lions Club. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, community member, and will be sadly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Sylvia Sampson, and a brother-in-law, Clyde Shackelton. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Maxine, of the home; son Bill Sampson and wife Jill of Bolivar; daughter Margaret and husband Zane of Mountain Grove; grandchildren Cheryl Hite of Lawrence, KS and Wes Sampson of San Diego, CA; Stephanie Anderson and husband Matt of Mountain Grove; and Ryan Mulbery and wife Lina of Lenexa, KS; and six great-grandchildren, Wade Hite, Kylie Hite, Jordan Hite, Gracie Anderson, Brady Anderson, Himani Mulbery; one sister, Marcella Shackelton, and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be at 10:00am, Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Bro. Doyle Mayfield and Bro. Gary Fulbright officiating. Musical selections will be How Great Thou Art and Peace In The Valley by Cindy Francka and David Barham with Janice Barham playing the piano. There will be a congregational hymn of Amazing Grace. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Tuesday evening at the Butler Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Randy Barham, Bob Andrews, Jerry Kinnett, Ryan Mulbery, Matt Anderson and Wes Sampson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church c/o Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

James Marion Sampson

April 18, 1925 - September 19, 2009