Otis L. Sampson

Otis L. Sampson passed away peacefully on May 16, 2011 of natural causes at 100 years old. He was born in Dartmouth, Mass. on January 19, 1911, the son of Orie David Wilson Sampson and Lydia A. Brightman. He was the loving husband of Marion Sampson to whom he was married for 63 years until she passed on March 1, 2011. Marion was a beautiful young Welsh woman whom he met while convalescing in England after being wounded in World War II by a piece of 88 artillery shrapnel. Early in his youth he had traveled to the West for adventure and this is where he came across the desert of the Coachella Valley and knew immediately it would one day be his home. Upon returning home in 1930 to Massachusetts, he joined the U.S. Army Cavalry as a horse soldier and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. In 1933 he bought his way out of the U.S. Army for $200 dollars. In 1942, with the World War declared by the United States upon Germany, Mr. Sampson rejoined the U.S. Army and became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Unit where he distinguished himself both in combat and as a Champion boxer for the Division. He would eventually make all four combat jumps for the 82nd Airborne Division which included Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland and was badly wounded in the Holland campaign. He was shipped back to the United States by the Army to convalesce in Florida. When he healed properly, and learned a new trade, he sent for his young bride, Marion and they were married in 1948. They travelled west and settled in the Coachella Valley in 1949 where he has made his home since. Mr. Sampson was a cabinetmaker by trade and worked throughout the desert valley. Some of the more prominent jobs he held during his time in the valley were for the Silver Spur Ranch, the Walter Annenberg Estate and the Coachella Valley Water Company. He also became an author when he published his accounts of his war efforts during WWII in his book titled "Time Out for Combat". He brought up his family in this desert; a daughter, Dawn D. Sampson and Gary G. Sampson. His son by a previous marriage, Otis L. Sampson Jr., was brought up in the east by his mother, Irene Loftus Sampson. Mr. Sampson was predeceased by his sisters, Vilena and Beatrice; and brothers, David, Walter, Silas, Francis, and Herbert. His brother, Irwin Sampson now lives in Moscow, Idaho. He also had five grandchildren, Donna LeClair, Steve Sampson, Erik and Ethan Karchefski, and Shanna Schifferdecker and six great grandchildren all whom will miss his warmth and love. Otis also had many interests throughout the desert, including studying geology and desert wildlife. Through these interests, he had made many friends who are too numerous to mention but will all miss his friendship. Tom Brokaw had it right with men like Otis Sampson when he named Otis's generation as the "Greatest Generation". He will be missed by all the lives he has touched. A memorial service and interment will be held at Forest Lawn, 69855 Ramon Road, Cathedral City, and CA. on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 3:00 PM which will be followed by a reception for family and friends.