Thomas I. "Tom" Samson

SAMSON THOMAS I. "TOM"
Mr. Samson, 77, of Charlotte and formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, died suddenly on July 20, 2008. He was a devoted husband of 53 years to his wife Carolyn; a caring father and "TI" to his two daughters and their husbands - Cheryl and David Carson of Charlotte, and Kim and Hugh Hollister of Lagos, Nigeria; and a loving and teasing "Grampsie" to five granddaughters - Kalyn and Blair Carson and Caroline, Kate and Kelley Rowland. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his sister, Shirley Anderson, of Iowa, and by Joyce and Benton White, and Dale Bradshaw of Mississippi. A native Iowan, Tom was a proud graduate of the University of Iowa and served in the United States Air Force in Germany. During his career, he was a financial executive with several different manufacturing companies, and actively served on various church, nonprofit, and civic boards. His engaging personality, consistently positive disposition and sense of humor won him many friends. He and Carolyn shared a love of travel during their numerous global adventures. Tom especially loved his family and friends, golf, his vintage Alfa Romeo, and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A memorial service to celebrate Tom's life will be on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM at the Asbury Chapel at Aldersgate 3800 Shamrock Dr., with visitation following the service. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Tom's name may be made to the Supplementary Assistance Fund at the Aldersgate Retirement Community 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215 or to the University of Iowa Tippie College Undergraduate Program Fund at www.uifoundation.org. CAROLINA FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATION CENTER is entrusted with the arrangements
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