Thomas Edward Samples

Thomas Edward Samples (March 18, 1955 – January 22, 2021)

Thomas Edward Samples passed away in his Florida home on Friday, January 22, 2021 – he was 65.  If there is one characteristic that truly defined Tom, it is that he impacted and inspired the lives of everyone he met, and he leaves a legacy that spans generations and geographies. 

Born in East Liverpool, Ohio to Clyde and Patricia Samples, Tom grew up as one of four children in Chester, West Virginia.  He was an outstanding athlete and played football at the University of Tennessee before finishing his college education at West Liberty State College, where he earned a business degree.  During his nearly 40 years of professional experience, Tom used his education, leadership skills, and robust personality to excel in roles of increasing responsibility at Weirton Steel Corporation, W.W. Grainger, Inc., Norandex Building Materials, and Mobil Mini.   

Tom dedicated his adult life to his two children, Joshua and Jeremy, and up to his death, would rave about how proud he was of them.  He helped build baseball fields in Chester on which they would ultimately play, organized teams to play competitively in multiple states (including Cooperstown, New York, and Virginia Beach, Virginia), made sacrifices to enroll them in the Steubenville Catholic Central school system where they excelled both athletically and academically, and supported them through their higher education in New York City.  During these times, Tom made his impression on both his sons and their friends – from throwing batting practice to the teams he coached, to making his infamous rigatoni for a house full of teenagers, and to giving life advice to anyone who would listen (including his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Caesar).  In this regard, Tom was a truly special person.

Throughout his entire life, Tom wanted to live in Florida, and he was able to accomplish this, relocating to the state in 2014.  He met his first grandchild, Liam Edward Samples, son of Jeremy and Kelsey Samples, in 2018 and was aware that he had two additional grandchildren arriving in 2021 when he passed.  Tom leaves three siblings – Donnie Samples, Jeff Samples, and Tammy Dudgeon.  He also leaves the two sons to which he dedicated his life – Joshua and Jeremy – along with their wives, Rachel and Kelsey. 

Anyone who knew Tom knew that he loved the Rolling Stones, so it would only be appropriate to conclude with the words of Mick Jagger: “Yeah, I’m coming home; ‘Cause I’m just about a moonlight mile on down the road.”

Services will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021.  Friends, family, and colleagues are invited to celebrate Tom’s life from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, West Virginia.  The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the First Christian Church located in Chester, West Virginia. 

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