Leonard "Len" Edward Samples

Leonard "Len" Edward Samples, 76, of Joseph, died April 28 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A celebration of life is planned for July 11 at Wallowa Lake State Park. Bollman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard was born July 13, 1932, to Hugh Samples and Fern Irene Griffin Samples in Rapid City, S.D. When Leonard was a small child, the family moved to Hullet, Wyo. They later moved to Kinzua where he attended school until the end of his junior year of high school. The family then moved to Medford. While there, he enlisted in the Army where he served during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1954.

Upon his return from Korea, he married Joan Otto in December 1953 and moved to Joseph. He later married Millissa Henderson in June 1978. They divorced and in September 1982, he married Patricia Kreutzer.

During his early years in Joseph, he left to attend Molar Barber College in Portland. For many years, he had his own shop in Joseph. He also worked as a timber faller, mill worker and ranch hand. At the time of his death, Leonard was retired.

In the early 1970s, Leonard was the constable of Joseph and was a volunteer firefighter. He was a member and past president of the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers and a member of the VFW.

Leonard learned to play music at an early age and it was a life-long passion. He played for many benefits as well as for shows and contests, winning many trophys. He was always willing to help others get started with music and felt blessed by the fact that his children inherited his talent and love of music.

Leonard was an avid hunter from a young age. He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors and hunting with his family and friends.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Pat of Joseph; sons, Caleb and his wife, Darcy Samples, of Joseph and Tyson and his wife, Lesley Garoutte Samples, of La Grande; daughters, Angelee and her husband, Glen Scott of Boise and Kara and her husband, Lance Redding, of Lacey, Wash.; stepsons, Daryl Kreutzer of Medford and Aaron and his wife, Tamara Kreutzer of Joseph; stepdaughters, Elizabeth and her husband, Ron Leal of Medford and Kim Kreutzer and her husband, Eric Hochendoner, of Medford; daughter-in-law, Crystal Nesselrodt of Boise; brother, Tom and his wife, Nancy Samples, of Wallowa; sister, Darlene Green of Central Point; 19 grandchildren; and one great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest son, Daniel Samples.

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