JOHN SAMPSON

1942 - 2022

JOHN E. SAMPSON JR.

April 28, 1942 Aug. 1, 2022

Born April 28, 1942 in Fulton, Arkansas unto John Sr. and Cleo Walker Sampson, John Jr. was the middle child of a family, which included his older sister, Jerdie Mae and younger brother, Eddie Lee. The family eventually settled in Imperial, California, where John Jr. attended Imperial City schools and later married, Betty Tolliver, his wife of over 60 years.

An accomplished mechanic, John Jr. was the owner of 2 drag racing cars, Whomp There It Is, a pro stock Camaro, and a dragster. As owner and former driver, he earned numerous trophies for races won in Southern California, Nevada, and Mexico. As his drag racing career neared its end, John Jr. continued his competitive nature through one of his granddaughters who is a barrel horse racer. John Jr. was also very much an outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. Indoors, he was an avid television watcher of old westerns, courtroom reality shows, and anything Steve Harvey. He retired from the City of Imperial after over 30 years of service and began a life of doing all the things that he wanted to do... when HE wanted to do it.

John Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Cleo; sister, Jerdie Mae Williams; and brother, Eddie Lee Sampson.

John Jr. is survived by his wife, Betty, Imperial; children, John III, Los Angeles, Ronnie Sr., Imperial, and Michelle Sampson, Imperial; grandchildren, Ronnie Jr., Sandra Nicole, Mishaila & Emily Sampson; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah and Elijah Sampson, and Bella & Andres III Ruiz; adopted family, Dale, Susan, Michael & Charlie Miller, Ashley Olivares, Jacob Martinez & Bryan Guitierrez, and Otis Burkes; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary, El Centro. A Private Service will be held at a later date.