Harold Lewis 'Hal' Sampson, 87

Harold Lewis "Hal" Sampson, 87, passed away Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, at his home in Kalispell. He was born Nov. 2, 1919, to Harold and Flora (Shearer) Sampson in Binghamton, N.Y.

After graduating from Binghamton Central High, he moved to Fair Lawn, N.J. Here he became a linotype operator and worked in the composing room of the Patterson, N.J., local newspaper. Voluntarily joining the army in 1942, he served in the 341st Engineer Battalion on the Alcan Highway. After being stricken with scarlet and subsequently rheumatic fever in 1943, he was transferred to Baxter General Hospital in Spokane, Wash., where he served with the 1979th Service Command unit until receiving an honorable discharge in 1945.

While stationed in Spokane, he met and married the love of his life, Lois May Noble, who was completing her internship as a medical technologist at St. Luke's Hospital. Hal and Lois were married Aug. 4, 1945, in Kalispell. After a short stint in the east, the young couple realized their hearts were in Montana and moved to Bozeman, where Hal graduated from Montana State University in 1950 with a degree in the industrial arts. The couple moved to Kalispell where Hal worked in the retail lumber business for more than 40 years, aiding his father-in-law at Noble Lumber and eventually retiring from Western Building Center.

Hal was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and past Master of Trinity Lodge 152. Serving on the Kalispell City Council in the early '70s, he helped to establish the Conrad Mansion Museum. Both Hal and Lois remained very active at their local church, Epworth United Methodist. Hal loved fishing, hunting, baseball, playing cards, and telling jokes. In recent years, he found great pleasure and new friends playing bridge at Vista Linda, exercising at the Summit, and dining with the Amazing Grays. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, friends and loyal dogs. He will be missed dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; two sisters, Edith and Leona; and his brother, Bob.

Hal is survived by his three loving daughters, Jan Loewen of Portland, Ore., and the twins, Pat Marcum of Kent, Wash., and Susie Sampson of Boston, Mass. He also leaves behind four beautiful granddaughters, Beth, Erin, Katie and Kelsey; two sisters, Dorothy Gesin of Fair Lawn, N.J., and Arleta Tripp of Binghamton, N.Y.

Memorial services for Hal will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church. Please bring your stories and fond memories to share. Urn burial will be private for the family.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 8357, Kalispell, MT 59904.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Hal's family.