Denver L. Samples

Denver was born the fifth of nine sons to the late Earnest L. and Henrietta Samples on September 27, 1923 in Kilgore, TX. He graduated from North Chapel High School in 1942 in Kilgore, TX. He attended Jarvis Christian College for about a month and interrupted it by joining the U.S. Navy where he served proudly for thirty-nine months and achieved the rank of Second- Class Petty Officer. After an honorable discharge with several medals, he resumed his education by attending Texas College of Tyler, Texas, graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a B.A. degree in Physical Education in 1949. He continued his education by attending Texas Southern University of Houston, TX and earned a Master of Science degree in Physical Education, class of 1954. During this period, he decided on an educational career as a teacher. His first assignment was as a classroom teacher in Tyler, TX and the next one was an honor because it was his high school alma mater, in Kilgore TX as science teacher and coach of athletics.

The next big event in his lie was his marriage to his graduate school schoolmate, Eva Delores Thorne of Bastrop, TX in April of 1955. After 51 blissful years, she preceded him in death.

The newlyweds went to Arizona to work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as classroom teachers. Their first assignment was at Kayenta and Many Farms, Arizona and then to Acamita and Canoncito, New Mexico. Next they returned to rejoin the public school ranks in Lubbock, TX. After a short period, he returned to Arizona and worked at Pinon and Nazlini Boarding Schools. After a promotion, he returned to New Mexico and spent one year at Laguna Day School and transferred back to Arizona with another promotion. After spending four years at Kaibeto Boarding School, he returned to the public school ranks for sixteen years, the last thirteen as principal.

He was a charter member of Chinle Lions Club of Chinle, Arizona. He served on the Lubbock Salvation Army Board as a member and chairman and was awarded a life-time membership. He was a charter member and president of South Plains Academy of Lubbock, TX. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Student Alternative Program, Inc. San Antonio, TX.

He and wife were avid travelers. Their travels took them to all fifty states, five continents, five Caribbean cruises, one to Alaska, and the last two, one down the Rhime River in Germany and one down the Yangtze River in China.

He received several honors, the most memorable, (Principal of the year). He was a life-long Methodist and held membership in several professional organizations and one societal Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He was active in the field of philanthropy.

He was preceded in death by his son Denver L. Samples Jr., eight brothers: Felmer, Bennie, Eska, James, Wilber, Willie, Roosevelt, and Oswald Samples. He is survived by his daughter, Denese White (Darrell) Phoenix, AZ., two grandsons, Denver L. Samples, III. Wills Point, TX, and Alex Kennedy, Phoenix, AZ, one great-granddaughter, and one sister, Teola Pinkard- Williams, Dallas, TX.