Samples gives thoughtfull gift

Denver Samples

Denver Samples, known in East Texas as Jick, has donated $40,000 to Mt. Pleasant Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Kilgore.

Samples now lives in Lubbock. He is the fifth of nine sons born to Earnest L. and Henrietta Samples. He graduated from North Chapel High School and joined the U.S. navy. In the Navy he was promoted to Petty Officer, 2nd Class. After earning his Naval discharge he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas College with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He later earned a master's degree from Texas Southern University.

After teaching stints at Tyler and North Chapel/Kilgore he and his wife moved to Arizona to work as a teacher for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He eventually returned to Lubbock public schools, first as a teacher and, for 13 years, as a principal. Among other honors he was named Principal of the Year.

Samples served as member and chairman of the Salvation Army board and was member and president of the South Plains Academy board of directors as a member of the board of Student Alternatives, of San Antonio.

He is a lifelong Methodist and a member of several professional and civic organizations. He and his wife, Deloris, who died in 2006, traveled to all fifty states and 32 countries on five continents.