Elvin Dale Sample Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Elvin Dale Sample, son of the late Oakley Bishop and Viola (Ferguson) Sample, was born February 20, 1932, and passed away after a prolonged illness on July 26, 2017, in Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of 85 years, 6 months, and 6 days. Elvin was cremated under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home Home of Alva, and memorial services will be at a later date. In life he enjoyed simple pleasures. He was a member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma and Colorado. He loved gardening, Bible studies, a good cowboy movie, good and bad jokes and just being present. He loved his shortcuts even though they took 3-4 times longer to get anywhere. It was the journey that mattered most to him. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Oakley Bishop Sample and Viola (Ferguson) Sample, and his two brothers Leland and Gene Sample. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Sample; four children, son Bill Sample and wife, Linda, of Rogersville, Missouri, daughter Jayne Rynerson and husband, Mike, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, daughter Kathy Shipley and husband, Kenneth Shipley, of Erlanger, Kentucky, and son Alan Sample and wife, Amy, of Neosho, Missouri; his sisters, Glenda Epp and husband, Chirald, of Houston, Texas, Alice Claugh of Ft. Worth, Texas, honorary sister/cousin Mary Jane Peaster and husband, Phil, of Edmond, Oklahoma and; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Elvie has ridden his last bull, tamed his last bronc, drank his last beer, and bricked his last wall. A quote from the movie “McClintock” sums it up best. “Good party…No Whiskey…We go home!” And so he did. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made through the funeral home to the Beadles Nursing Home activity fund.

Elvin Dale Sample

February 20, 1932 - July 26, 2017