James Donley Samford

1923 - 2021

He will be laid to rest at a graveside service being held on ThursdaJames Donley Samford was born on September 27, 1923 and passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the age of 97 at St. James House assisted living facility in Baytown, TX. Mr. Samford was a resident of La Porte, TX for well over 70 years. Mr. Samford worked at the Naval Shipyard in Orange, TX during WWII. He was a blueprint reader, hull inspector and oversaw construction of many battleships and landing craft that made it to the beaches of Normandy. After WWII, he entered an apprenticeship with a painter's local union, and later he worked at Carbide Chemical Plant in Texas City, TX then he retired in 1985. Mr. Samford has many relatives that have preceded him in death including his parents, father Simon Edward Samford, d. 1948; mother Julia Bessie Hooper Samford, d. 1992; brother Wade Hampton (W. H. & Dub) Samford, d. 1984; brother Youree Maurice Samford, d. May, 2016; sister Edna Opel Samford Emanuel, d. Sept. 2016; brother Rayford Maxie Samford, d. Dec. 2016; Son-in-law David R. George Sr. d. 2007; Son-in-law John Castello d. 2016.

Mr. Samford has two wives preceded him in death: (1st) Dorothy Fay (Anderson) Samford, d. 1976, mother of Sylvia, Edward, Kathleen and Elizabeth; (2nd) Grace Nell Samford, d. 1980; (3rd) Mary Scott Samford, divorced 2012. Mr. Samford is survived by his four children: daughter Sylvia A. (Samford) Palmer & son-in-law William Palmer of Huffman, TX; son Edward Donley Samford & daughter-in-law Judy M. Samford of Beach City, TX; daughter Kathleen (Samford) George of Manor, TX, daughter Elizabeth Kay (Samford) Castello of LaPorte, TX.

Mr. Samford is survived by his sister-in-law Saundra Sandlin Samford of Pearland, TX. Mr. Samford is survived by seven grandchildren: Amy Reese of Mont Belvieu,TX; William J. Palmer of Baytown, TX; Tina McKinney of Center, TX; Aubry Smith of Manor, TX; David R. George Jr. of Austin, TX; Julianna M. (Julie) Palmer of Cibolo, TX and Garrett D. Castello of Houston, TX. He is also survived by several great-grandchildren. Mr. Samford was a very devout Christian, loving father, and attended church until the time he became unable to do so due to health. His Christian beliefs were at the core of his heart and he never spoke ill of anyone. He was as the Bible says, a true "Peacemaker". He was laid to rest at Grand View Memorial Park, February 4, 2021.