- Date Of Birth: February 16, 1939
- Date Of Death: June 29, 2015
- State: Illinois
Gerald Lee “Jerre” Samples, 76, of North Fort Myers, FL and formerly of Jacksonville, Ill died Monday, June 29, 2015 at Hope Hospice House in Cape Coral, FL. after a brief illness.
He was born February 16, 1939 in Jacksonville, son of Cecil Lee and Edith Bridgeman Samples.
As a youth, Jerre and his sister, Joyce, sang as a duo and won several area singing competitions. He attended Jacksonville public schools. In high School he was involved in athletics, particularly football. He was starting guard as a junior and senior on two very good teams. Jerre was also an exceptional swimmer. He graduated from JHS in 1957.
After high school, Jerre attended MacMurray College for one year. He then went into the trucking business, starting Samples Trucking Company, partnering with his father and Uncle Ray.
On July 25, 1959, Jerre married Betty Pauline Wood in Jacksonville. They were married for 42 years. Betty preceded him in death on June 27, 2002.
In 1962, Jerre sold the trucking business and joined the Jacksonville Police Department as a patrolman. He was an officer for 6 years.In 1968, Jerre left the Police Department to return to his love of truck driving. He was a long haul driver for Argo Collier Trucking, then Anderson Clayton/Kraft Foods for 26 years. He drove all across the United States and had an excellent safety record. After a health concern in 1993, he got off the road and worked in the shipping department at Kraft until retiring in 2002.
In 2004, Jerre became a full time resident of Florida. In retirement, he enjoyed NASCAR, fishing, golf, and following sports. He was a big fan of the Fighting Illini and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Also in retirement, Jerre got involved in his local Elks Lodge. He started out as a volunteer in the kitchen, then became the Chaplain, and eventually was elected a trustee. He spent many hours working at the lodge preparing meals for members as well as homeless veterans. He was very proud of the work done for disadvantaged children also.
In May 2013, Jerre married Bernice Kendall in North Fort Myers, Florida and she survives.
He is also survived by four children; Rick Samples (wife, Cindy) of Winona, MN, Debbie Santos (husband, Phil) of Chesapeake, VA, Ray Samples (wife, Estela) of Keller, TX, and Jeni Sprinkle of Jacksonville. He had six grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, a sister, Joyce Williams of Jacksonville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, both in 1999.
Jerre was very proud of all his children and their families. In 2013, he went on a month long driving trip to visit each one, traveling through most of the country to do so.
