Steve O. Sample Sr.

just a note of memory...i often think of my years at craig and the good guys i met there...steve was always a good part of those mems....

What an incredible man and teacher! He taught me so much about music theory and the rules of arranging. I still remember walking into his class. I was a transfer student from Atlanta and begin his Music Theory II. He spent the first 10 minutes of the class filling up the chalkboard with music theory corner to corner then turned around and said "If you don't already know everything on the board, you fail now" I ended up taking Theory I instead. This man meant business. He pushed you...

great musical brain....served in the 452nd af band with steve in craig afb..selma ala....hewas a great arranger and trombone player there.....i had the honor to do some copying for him...regrouped after over 60 years with him by the internet....had many good memos from....not many of the 452nd are left now....i'll miss him

Steve Sample has meant so much to so many. We all learned so much about music and about life from him. He didn’t just teach music. He taught people, and he took a personal interest in each of us. The world has lost another of the great ones.
Alan and Peggy Brooks

Brenda, we heard of Steve's passing from Lara. We are so sorry for your loss. We have been gone from Topper Drive for five years now. We still remember your hospitality the day you invited us to sit on your lovely side porch and have some watermelon slices. Delicious! And, once when the electricity was out, Rich was at work, and I couldn't get the garage door open. Steve came down to help me out! Although we didn't have a chance to get to know you both well, Steve and you were both...

I was one of many former students who benefited from learning from and being associated with this excellent musician and teacher. He was a great composer and arranger and I had the privilege of playing a lot of his fantastic arrangements while I was in the Alabama Cavaliers, dance band, and as a member of his 7-piece group, The Continentals, that played for dances at the Tuscaloosa country clubs and around the state of Alabama back in the '60s. My sincerest condolences to Steve's family. ...

What a guy!! So many accomplishments in his life - and what a legacy for his students! We're going to miss him to say the least! And Brenda, remember all your friends in SV - we're here for you.

Steve will be so missed. His sense of humor and generosity were his gifts and we as his friends are better for having known him, and sadder for his passing.