Delbert Arnold Sampson

Delbert Arnold Sampson was born to Evelyn Ruth Sampson and Dwight Adelbert Sampson, a homemaker and military veteran, in Great Lakes, Illinois on January 28th, 1960.

Delbert was blessed with a close family. He loved his companion, Linda Rickard, whom he met when he was sixteen years old. Mark Clements was a part of Delbert's life; they maintained a close friendship and partnership for over forty years. For most of this time, Delbert lived in Lakeland, Florida and helped to raise "Little Mark," his best friend's son. Delbert had a genius IQ, which he used throughout his life. He delighted in amusing and entertaining other people. He worked at Disneyworld as a Boat Captain - "Skipper Sam" and as a Railroad Conductor, at Universal Studios as a lab technician in the Jurassic Park attraction, and at Paramount Studios (haunted house) as a scare actor. Delbert loved sports and worked over twenty years as an ASA softball umpire in and around the Orlando and Tampa area. One of the things he enjoyed the most was portraying Santa Claus - and had his HO HO HO down!!

Delbert led a courageous life, particularly over the last two and a half years when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer. He did whatever he could to assure Linda and Mark of his devotion and love and helped out whenever he could.

Delbert is survived by his companion, Linda; his father Dwight Sampson of Smithville, TX; his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Janice Sampson of Victoria, TX; his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Kenneth Washburn of Fairport, NY; his best friend, Mark Clements now in Austin, TX; Mark Clements, Jr of Bartow, FL; nephew Dean Sampson and wife Jenny of Corpus Christi, TX; nephew Daren Sampson of San Marcos, TX; nephew Derek Sampson and wife Jessica of Round Rock, TX; niece Sarah Driscoll and husband Ken of Fairport, NY; nephew Kyle and wife Rachel of Chicago, IL; and Kendall Sampson of Brooklyn, NY.