Jon Sampson

Jon Logan Sampson, Lt. Colonel USA (ret) passed away on November 30, 2018 at Walter Reed Riverside Hospital at age 78. He was born in Coos Bay Oregon and was proud of his maternal family history of being Oregon pioneers who crossed the plains in the 1800’s. He was equally as proud of his paternal Finnish heritage. His formative years were spent in Florence, Oregon. Jon grew up there fishing, hunting, and playing football at Siuslaw High School. After high school, he attended the University of Oregon, class of 1962, and upon graduating, joined the Army. He served for 20 years. Jon was a Vietnam Veteran, serving two tours, where he earned his Combat Infantryman Badge. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, two Bronze Stars for meritorious service, and the Legion of Merit.

Jon loved camping, sailing with friends, Maine vacations, driving to Florida each winter to watch the Super Bowl with his best friend, organic gardening, his old white Chevy pickup, and in his more active years cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. He also loved his volunteer work at Hands across Mathews.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; his brother, Dean, and sister-in-law, Patricia Sampson of Bainbridge Island, Washington; his sister, Patty Sampson, of Redmond, Oregon; his nephews, Greg Sampson and Marq de Soncoeur of Seattle, Rusty Libby and family, of Florence, Oregon; Jeff Libby of Florence, Oregon, a niece Becky and family, of Redmond, Oregon, and one spoiled beloved dog, Bella.

A visitation will be held at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, VA on Monday, December 10, 2018 from 1-2:00 p.m. with a memorial service following at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel.

Donations may be made in Jon’s memory to Hands Across Mathews (P.O. Box 130, Mathews, VA, 23109) or the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad. (P.O. Box 723, Mathews, VA, 23109)