Gene V. Sample, Sr.

Lansing, Michigan.

Born June 3, 1932, in Lansing, Michigan son of the late Virgil and Mildred (McCune) Sample passed away Thursday, March 17, 2022, at age 89.

Surviving are his wife of almost 60 years, Marilyn (Kell) Sample; children, Gene Sample, Jr., Jay D (Vickie) Sample, Patrick Sample, Sherri Sample, and Lori (Mark) Stornant; grandchildren, Nikki (Kenneth) Malag, Jason Sample, Tina (Jacob) Kisor, James (Kristin) Dietz, Tyler (Grace) Stornant, Casey (Corey) Thornton, Bailey (Treston) Bradshaw, and Brooklyn Dunfield; great-grandchildren, Heaven Kisor, Raquel Kisor, Osheeanna Kisor, Aaron Sample, Jay Daniel Sample, Aliza Sample, Shayden Sample, Keegan Sample, Joseph Malag, Jared Malag, Matthew Malag, Nicole Malag, Arianna Dietz, Lydia Dietz, and Lincoln Gene Thornton; brother, Lyle (Lorraine) Sample; special uncle, Howard McCune; special friend, Mel Carter; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members along with his beloved dog, Jenny 2.

He was preceded in death by his sister, June Minier; sister, Evalle Church, sister, Vivian Graham; 2 grandchildren, Gene Sample, III, and Jay D “Buck” Sample, II, and his dog, Jenny 1.

Gene served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts during the Korean War.  Over the course of his career, he worked for Motor Wheel, Diamond REO, and retired from the State of Michigan as a MIOSHA Supervisor.  He was a member and Past-Master of Lansing Masonic Lodge #33, F&AM as well as being an active Shriner, he was Past-President and Zone Officer of the Lansing Aerie #1039 F.O. Eagles, was the organizer of the Woodland Eagles Lodge, belonged to the Edwin J. Leyanna, Post #671 VFW in DeWitt and the American Legion Post #107 in Phoenix, AZ.

Gene was a motorcycle enthusiast for more than 50 years, touring the country with his wife on motorcycle.  He was an avid Bluegrass and Country music fan, was passionate about snowmobiling and hunting (especially with his dad), enjoyed dancing and spending time in the family R.V., was an animal lover, a Spartan fan, a Tiger fan, and was very proud of the log house he and his wife built on the top of a mountain in North Carolina during their retirement.

Funeral services will be held at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.  Interment and Military Honors will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and again on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions, in loving memory of Gene, may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society or the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans).

Gene has arrived in time to drink coffee with his dad, something that was very important to him!