Gary Samples Sr.

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Biography

Gary M. Samples was born in Charleston, WV, the son of Robert Greenleaf Samples and Leona Gay Tawney, but was raised on WV Route 36 at Valley Fork, attending Valley Fork Elementary 1958-1966, Clay County High School 1966-1970, Glenville State College 1970-1974 and Marshall University earning a Masters Degree in Educational Administration in 1984.

Gary took a job in Jackson County WV as a teacher at Fairplain Elementary in 1974 where he remained through 1978. Then moved to Ripley Middle School as a teacher when it first opened its doors in the fall of 1978. He was promoted to principal of Duke Elementary in 1984 until it closed its doors in 1986. Gary was then transferred to Ravenswood where he became the principal of a kindergarten through grade two school of nearly 400 students, North Elementary, later renamed Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School, which earned state and national recognition under his leadership. In 1998, Gary was again promoted, this time to the Assistantant Superintendent's position at the Jackson County Board of Education, holding that job for 11 years serving under three different Superintendents. In 2009 Gary retired to assist his son Jacob and his wife Mary, raise their newly born son, Huck Jacob, by being his child care provider while his mother and father held down full time employment. Just over a year later the second grandchild was born to Jake and Mary, named Halle Brook. Then a year later came Shephard Elijah their third child, then a little later, their fourth child, Noah Robert! After the third child, Mary resigned her employment to become a full time parent and Gary was able to become actively engaged in full time retired life!

Gary has been blessed with three wonderful children, Jacob Eric Samples, Rebekah Lee Samples and Gary Michael "Mike" Samples II, who has a son Gavin Michael, twin girls Lily Kathern and Annabell Grace, and their newest arrival Juliet Elizabeth.

Rebekah Lee married Logan Gregory Skurupey on 09-17-2019 and began their family a year later with the birth of son, Gregory Michael Skurupey. Their second child, Nora Lee Skurupey was born November 10, 2021. It is interesting to note that Nora is a fourth generation female child bearing the middle name of Lee.

Gary Sr. was married to Vicki Lee Harrison on 08/01/88. He is an active member of the Ripley Baptist Temple having been involved in the bus ministry for thirty years, the Food Pantry and King James Bible printing ministry for over ten years.

Both Gary and Vicki graduated from the Ripley Baptist Temple, School of the Bible in May 2017, earning a two year certificate from The Crown College of the Bible in Powell Tennessee and from the Ripley Baptist Temple. Walking in the graduation ceremonies was both fulfilling and emotional as we strive to work for the Lord, Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

Sadly, Vicki Lee Samples died suddenly on July 22, 2022, leaving a grief stricken family behind.

By the grace of God, Rhonda Shephard Ritchie was brought into Gary’s life and on November 24, 2023 they were united in marriage. Surrounded by all of their children and grandchildren the service was conducted by Pastors Jake Samples, Rick Perrine and Toby Wagnor at the First Baptist Church of Ravenswood, WV.

Gary is a vegetable gardener who enjoys harvesting and canning everything he raises. He also tends an orchard of apples, pears, peaches and cherries. He is interested in grafting different varieties of fruits into his existing trees and watching the results in the years to come. He loves to fish rivers, lakes and streams from his bass boat and from the bank. He is no stranger to the banks of streams from northern Canada to the shores of Florida. He has been blessed with a wonderful wife, good health, excellent employment, retirement and a happy christian family. God is Good!!

A medical condition called Carpel Tunnel Syndrome has been present in three consecutive generations beginning with Robert Greenleaf Samples, his son Gary Michael Samples Sr. and his son Jacob Eric Samples. Surgery on the wrists completely cured the condition which is , I believe, a pinched nerve in the wrist. The condition is brought on by intense physical exertion and conditioning over a period of time.

Sources

• First-hand information. Entered by Gary Samples Sr.