Leon Sample, 74, passed away Monday, December 25, 2017 at his home in Hoxie, Kansas. He was born September 22, 1943 to Benjamin Leslie and Dorothy Henrietta (Epler) Sample.
He married Barbara Deibert, December 10, 1961, and shared 56 years of wonderful married life. They were blessed with three children, Dana, Darrel & Mike.
Leon attended school at the Tasco Grade School and graduated from Hoxie High School. He was always known as an honest and hard working person. He enjoyed many jobs from a very young age; farming for Rodney Martin, helping Uncle Fred on the farm, Don’s Alignment & Foster Lumber Company. When his father retired, he was proud to purchase the family business, “Sample Oil Company.” He owned and operated this business until 1978 when he accepted an offer to manage the Studley Coop. He held this position until his retirement in May, 2005. He rarely missed a day of work other than an annual trip to the state wrestling tournaments to watch his sons and nephews wrestle. After retiring he enjoyed riding along with Mr. P on his truck runs and helping Archie, Rick and Don Moss with corn harvest.
Leon was an avid Royals baseball fan through good times and bad. He was able to visit 20 major league stadiums and 2 minor league stadiums with his wife. He loved watching car races and flying remote controlled airplanes with his flying buddies and gained the nickname “King Pin“ for his bowling skills. He was a regular visitor at the Howard Cass home and enjoyed the tales he heard there. And he sure enjoyed that first tomato from his garden each summer.
He always enjoyed having family visit. He loved and was proud of his three children and the adults they have become and loved every grandchild as if they were his own. He instilled in each of them good values to live by and an excellent example of how to love.
He continued the practice of date night and supper out with his wife once a week, and they shared a love for the birds that gathered daily in their back yard for food and water. He was a good provider for his family and the rock we all leaned on.
Leon knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior and had a personal ministry of spreading kindness wherever he went, never turning down anyone in need. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Lyle Sample; sister, Doris Rachau; sister-in-law, Nettie Richmeier; brothers-in-law, Tom McClain & Ken Deibert; and his Epler and Sample Grandparents.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home; daughter, Dana Sample, Columbia, MO; sons, Darrel Sample & wife Hana, Highlands Ranch, CO; Mike Sample and wife Ann, Lindsborg, KS.; brother, Leo Sample & wife Eileen, Hoxie; sister, Donna McClain, Aurora, CO.; mother-in-law, Peggy Allen; sister-in-law, Sandra Reitcheck and husband Gary all of Hoxie and Brother-in-law Terry Deibert and wife Cyndi of Bartlesville, OK.
He is also survived by grandchildren Chris Chase, Holly Hickam, Megan Sample, Haileah Chase, David & Dylan Sample, Breahna Wright, Ashtyn Chase and Rocco Hickam. Also among survivors are nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to mention.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warriors Project, and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, KS 67740.
Visitation will be December 29, 2017, from 1:00 until 6:00, with family receiving friends from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.
Services will be December 30, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Micah Howery officiating.