Donald Eugene Sampson

Donald E. "Don" Sampson, 100, a lifelong Wenatchee resident, passed away on Thursday afternoon, August 6, 2015 at River West Retirement Community in Wenatchee. He was born on July 10, 1915 at Saint Anthony's Hospital in Wenatchee to the late Oscar and Katherine (Gallagher) Sampson. He grew up in Wenatchee and as a young boy helped his father with his road construction business by taking care of the horse teams and water tank runs. He attended Wenatchee schools and accelerated his education, graduating one year earlier with the class of 1931. He went to work full time at The Wenatchee World in 1931 as a mailroom employee. He soon became a Typesetter and ultimately, a much-relied-upon machinist who maintained and repaired much of the paper's equipment. Wilfred Woods nick named him "Screwdriver" and most employees agreed, Sampson could fix anything. He worked at The Wenatchee World for a total of 51 years, not counting the years he was a young boy with his own paper route. On March 28, 1937, Don was married to Margaret "Marge" Snyder at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. They continued to make their home in Wenatchee, where they raised their family and operated an orchard together for many years. Don coached Little League Baseball with his friend and co-worker, Harlan Honeysett, for several years and coached basketball at Saint Joseph's School. He played softball on The Talbot and Conway Team and had played on the Wenatchee Daily World Basketball Team that played the Harlem Globe Trotters when they came to town. Both Margaret and Don were longtime Ski Race Officials. Donald was a lifetime member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church and a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Past President of Appleatchee Riders and a Life Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks B.P.O.E. # 1186 of Wenatchee. He enjoyed fishing and all forms of sports. Thank you to the caregivers at Colonial Vista Assisted Living who cared for Don the past two years. A special thank you goes out from the family to the caring staff at River West Retirement Community and Confluence Health Hospice. He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Margaret "Marge" Sampson, Wenatchee; four children and their spouses, Michael "Mike" & Carole Sampson, Sun Valley, Idaho, Patricia "Pat" & Mike Martin, Rice, WA, James "Jim" & Carolyn Sampson, San Antonio, Texas, Susan "Sue" & Ric Johnson, Wenatchee; one sister, Patricia "Pat" & Bob Shoun, Bellevue, WA; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Dorothy Provo. A Vigil service will be held on Tuesday evening, August 11th at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, August 12th at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, 625 Elliott Avenue, Wenatchee with Rev. Monsignor Robert Siler officiating. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to the KC - HELP, P.O. Box 3850, Wenatchee WA 98807 or the charity of your choice. You are invited to visit his tribute online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Donald Eugene Sampson

July 10, 1915 - August 6, 2015