Edward J. Sample

Edward J. Sample (Lt. Col. Ret. USMC), 84, of Little Rock, died December 24, 2014 with his family by his side. He was born to the late Jake and Ida Sample on March 29, 1930 in Witt, Illinois. Ed graduated high school in 1948 and immediately joined the Marine Corps. He met and married his wife of 63 years, Barbara (Bobbie) Ann Mooney of Corpus Christi, Texas while stationed at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station for flight training. The couple have three children, Debra Sample York (Jim) of Vero Beach, Florida, David Sample (Leah) of Little Rock, and Donna Sample Oates (Fred) of Redfield; two grandchildren, Allison Oates Beasley (Matt) and Taylor Oates, both of Redfield; and niece, Lenore Sample Kitto (Lee) of Madisonville, Tennessee. Ed's military career spanned 24 years, and he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His most distinguished tour of duty was serving as the Commanding Officer of Helicopter Marine Squadron One in Quantico, Virginia. He was the recipient of many medals of distinction, and was the epitome of a patriotic American. Ed retired from the Marine Corps in 1972, moving the family to Little Rock where he flew corporate aircraft until 1986. A service will be held at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, date and time to be announced. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Ed's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.