Obituary
Reverend Harley Everett Sampson, 80, of Lee’s Summit, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on November 3, 2018. He reached his final destination peacefully in his sleep with his loving wife by his side.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held Friday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m. Both the visitation and memorial service will be held at Lee’s Summit First, 425 SW Oldham Parkway, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Harley was born October 9, 1938, in Garden City, Iowa, to Harold and Esther (Brandt) Sampson. After graduating from Stratford High School in Stratford, Iowa in 1956, he served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962. Upon discharge from the Navy, he continued his education at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He met his wife, Donna Varney, at Central Bible College and they were married on June 15, 1963. He graduated in 1966 with a Bible degree. He served as the pastor at Tama Assembly of God in Tama, Iowa from 1966 to 1972. He served as the church camp director for the State of Iowa from 1972 to 1976. He served as the pastor at First Assembly of God in Lee’s Summit from 1976 until he retired in 2010. Even after retiring, he still found ways to volunteer and work around the church. He spent his entire life serving Jesus and loving people. He was very active and loved being involved in the church and community. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and relished spending time with them.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna (Varney) Sampson of the home; his brother, David Sampson; his son and spouse, Todd and Dianna Sampson; his daughter and spouse, Kim and Scott Polina; his daughter and spouse, Rhonda and Jeff Weber; his daughter and spouse, Sharolynn and Michael Myers; his grandchildren, Jennifer and James Hensley, Ashley Sampson, Jacqueline Sampson, Amanda Sampson, Amber Polina, Austin Polina, Mackenzie Polina, Chris and Kaytlyn Weber, Justin Weber, Bradley Myers, Zachary Myers and Makayla Myers; and his great grandchildren, Payton, Kyla and Layla Hensley, Amelia and Liam Murphy, and Lucy, Elias and Bennett Weber.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Sampson; mother, Esther Sampson; sister, Lois Bergman; and brother, Richard Sampson. Arrangements are with Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Burial will be at the VA cemetery at 2:00 p.m. in Higginsville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Susquehanna Assembly of God, or a church of your choice, to provide camp scholarships to send underprivileged kids to church camp.
To Pastor Sampson’s family and friends,
He was a light of love, faith and hope. I am honored to have heard some of his sermons through the years sitting next to my Mom, Virginia Brooks. Pastor Sampson inspired her on her path to a faith she so deeply believed in. My sincerest thanks and respect to him for all he did at First Assembly in Lee’s Summit. May your memories comfort you. Now his light shines brightly as he takes his rightful place in heaven.
God Bless and much love!
Our sincere sympathy, love, & prayers. It was my privilege to serve alongside him as presbyters in The Southern Missouri District Council of The Assemblies of God. Fred & Bonnie Lawley
Pastor Sampson was one of the finest men we have ever known. He took our family in the first night we met him and Donna. Pastor Sampson will always have a special place in our hearts. We were truly blessed to have been under his ministry. What a wonderful man he was!
Pastor Harley was a great man of God. John & I both loved & appreciated him very much. Our prayers & thoughts will continue to be with his wife Donna and the family.
I thank God for putting Pastor Harley Sampson in my life. he led my sister my mother and me to the LORD when i was a preteen. and was the reason i still go to church today.
and Blessed my family for many years, in many ways. I look forward to seeing him again some day. god bless you all.
Our hearts and prayers are with all of Pastor Sampson’s family. He was a wonderful man and had a pastors heart. We appreciate all the years he was our pastor and friend at First Assembly. We love you too Donna. Jerry and Vikki Pettit
Harley and Donna have been a wonderful influence in our entire family, helping us to grow and live in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will forever be grateful, love Sam, Shirley, Ashley and Allie. Well done thy good and faithful servant❤️
Dearest Donna, Kim, Rhonda, Sharolyn, Todd and families,
Your husband and father was a true General in God’s army and preached the word of God to lost souls. He was Shepard of many flock starting as lambs to mature sheep filled with the Holy Spirit. God spoke and said welcome home Harley; well done my good and faithful servant. Your love and memories of him will be in your heart forever. We also loved him and are grateful for his ministering to us. As hard as this time may be in missing him you have the comfort of knowing he in in the arms of our Lord and Savior. Love you all and praying complete peace for Donna and all of you. Pat and Tom Wiley
Dear Harleys Family
We are so sorry to hear that Harley passed. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. We always felt loved by your dad when he was around and made us feel part of the family – he will be sorely missed by all.
Hugs and lots of love to Donna and all of the family
{Mary – Sister and Brothern In Law}
With our love always
Sali and Jerry Brattmiller
What an inspiration to both Laval and I he has been an anchor !!! Our hearts are broken we will miss him dearly!!!!!
My sympathy to you, Donna, and all the extended family. Remembering the days we shared at CBC. My husband, David, was promoted to heaven 14 years ago. You will find the comfort the Holy Spirit gives to widows. You will begin receiving a quarterly newsletter called Uniquely His for AG ministers widows. I am one of the editors. Blessings.
Pastor Sampson was a true and dedicated man of God and Pastor of many. His heart to serve to further the kingdom of God was his great gift to everyone he came to know and pastor. My deepest sympathy to Donna and the family. Pastor thank you for all your spirit filled guidance and encouragement in my life. As you enter the eternal life with you Lord and Saviour and his welcoming words. ‘Well done my good and faithful servant”.
Dear Sampson Family,
I grieve and rejoice with you at this time of Bro. Sampson’s homegoing. I have many fond memories of my time at First Assembly of God in Lee’s Summit. God began to heal my broken spirit after my wife’s death while I sat under Bro. Sampson’s ministry. Blessings of peace and comfort to you all. Steven D. Light
God Bless you and the whole family Amen