Frank Sheldon Monroe Samples, 86, of Marysville and Kissimmee, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
He was born November 14, 1934 in Cedar Grove, West Virginia to the late Amos Monroe and Vanna Belle Samples. He married Mary Anna Arbuckle on October 24, 1954 in St. Albans, West Virginia.
Frank was a control room operator with Consumers Power for 21 years, retiring in 1993, and previously worked for Union Carbide. After retiring, Frank and Mary moved into their fifth-wheel trailer for the next 20 years, parking in Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winter and traveling in between. He was a member of Gateway Church of Marysville and attended Bible Baptist Church of Kissimmee.
Frank was an entertainer, storyteller and writer. A self-taught musician, he played the guitar, banjo, piano and harmonica. He wrote songs and poetry and has a collection of poems on display in the Charleston Museum.
Frank was fascinated with flight. He had a pilot’s license and owned a plane, and he built and flew hang gliders, an ultralite and radio-controlled aircraft. He was a lifetime member of the River District R/C Eagles. A man of many talents, he crafted his own root beer, rode a unicycle and raised skunks and raccoons. He enjoyed discussing conservative politics and belonged to the NRA. He loved God and his family.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; three children, Frank (Mary Ann) Samples, Scott (Jean) Samples and Beth (Dale) Privette; seven grandchildren, Ashley Samples (Dustin Radney), Lindsay Samples (Gabe Chapman), Caleb Samples (Georgia Siler), Steven Privette (Autumn Greene), Renee Privette, Luke Privette and Amos Privette; five adored great grandchildren, Smith and Arden Radney, Hailey and James Chapman and Orrin Edwards; two brothers-in-law, Paul (Betty Jean) Arbuckle and Dan (Sue) Arbuckle; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Harold Samples, Hazel Stephens and Betty Pauley.
Private graveside services will be held.
Burial will be in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville. Frank’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gateway Church. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com
