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Wayne Sampson
1943 - 2025
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Wayne Sampson Obituary
Kent led a life rich with adventure, service and love. He proudly served his country in the US Air Force and later earned his master's degree in education from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He taught for over 30 years in Decatur, IL before retiring. Whether as a son, brother, father, grandpa or mentor Kent's presence was felt by all who knew him. His life was a tapestry of many roles: teacher, sailor, biker, hiker, pilot, veteran and adventurer. A true renaissance man, Kent's passions and curiosity were boundless.
He was of Native American descent and a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe of Pembroke, NC. A lover of fine arts and chocolate, Kent always sought to help others and create lasting memories with his family. His spirit of generosity and joy for life will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.
In addition to his parents, Kent was preceded in death by his brother, Cedric Sampson, and his sister, Sandra Pryde.
He is survived by his son, Derek (Aimee) Sampson; daughters, Inken Cradic and Kirsten (Blake) Miller; his brother, Steven (Kathleen) Sampson as well as his cherished grandchildren, Kayla Cradic, Lucas Cradic, Joshua Cradic, Andrew (Erica) Miller, Nathan Miller, Kelsey Miller, William Sampson, Claire Sampson and Jacob Sampson. Kent was also a proud great grandfather to Jocelyn Miller and Anilyn Miller.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday November 8th from 1-4 p.m. at Rock Springs Nature Center. The family invites all that knew him to come and share a memory or story as we celebrate Kent.
Memorial Events
for Wayne Sampson
Funeral services provided by:
Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home2091 North Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL 62526
Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Sampson
Sponsored by Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home.
3 Entries
Joi Davis-Hill
November 3, 2025
Mr. Sampson was my 5th grade teacher at Muffley School. He was the best! It was 1980 and Rubik's Cube was the hot ticket item at Christmas that year. The whole class thought he was a genius, he could solve that puzzle in a minute. Prayers and Peace to the entire Sampson Family.
Don Koshinski
November 2, 2025
Kent was a great friend and coworker. I remember when Kent and his son and I and my son went to a Cardinal game. We had Stan Musial´s box seats. We were in the first row opposite 1st base.
Cheryl Tichenor Young
November 1, 2025
I had Mr. Sampson at Roosevelt Jr High School for 7th grade history. He had me work in an independent study about Dolley Madison because I "knew too much" general history. We shared a mutual love of Simon & Garfunkel. I loved his class. He was a kind person.
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