July 8, 1930 ~ Feb. 15, 2020
James Reece Sampson, age 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 15, 2020, in Anthem Arizona, after a six year battle with four insidious cancers and severe COPD.
James was born in Delta, Utah on July 8, 1930 to a loving family headed by George and Irene Sampson. He was eighth of ten children and he grew up in Delta, where his favorite things to do involved horses, and hanging around with the wrong crowd (just kidding, he had wonderful lifelong friendships with Carl Corry, Harry Ogden and Don Collins). He stayed in Delta until leaving to fight in the Korean War, where he honorably served and received a Purple Heart when his truck was blown up. After his service, he returned to Delta and moved into the construction industry with his brother Don. Embarking in this new endeavor started his vagabond career, moving from one job completion to the next, to keep his family supplied with life’s necessities. He and his family lived in more than 35 cities and towns during his lifetime. He spent his last few years moving to Mesquite, Nevada in the wintertime, and back to Delta for the summer. As his cancer progressed, he and his wonderful wife, Barbara, moved to Anthem Arizona last year to be closer to his boys.
He was well-known as quite the story teller. During his last few years he had many visitors to his home that loved his friendship and listen to many of the tales he had to tell. Although, he was known to embellish a bit, his stories were his realities, and he was proud of his accomplishments, and the successes and positions in life of his four boys.
In 2014, after surgery for his pancreatic cancer, the doctor said that he had, at the most, 18 months to live. His family feels extremely lucky to have had the extra four and a half years, where he was in relatively good health, and never experienced pain.
He is survived by his wonderful wife, Barbara, who took incredible care of him in his last years. In fact, he wouldn’t have been able to survive as long as he did without her love and caring for him; His four boys, Jim, Mike, Donnie and Kenny; his sister Helen, his brother Ken and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lloyd, Gerald, Duane, and Don, and sisters, Delma, Genie Bean, and Donna Faye, as well as his wife Therol.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 29, 12:00 noon, at the Sutherland Second Ward Chapel, 3120 West 2600 North, internment at the Delta Cemetery.
