James Ray Samples

Muncie....James Ray Samples, 91, resident of Muncie, passed away at his residence after a brief illness. He was born in Bomont, West Virginia, November 3, 1925, the son of E. Ray and Cora Keeney Samples. He was a 1944 graduate of Clay County High School and retired in 1987 from Sears and Roebuck where he had worked in management for 40 years. He was a US Navy veteran of World War 2 serving on the USS Brister DE-327 in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. He was a member of the Destroyer Escort Association and the US Navy ""Order of the Golden Dragon"" signifying combat in both oceans. He received his Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of Charleston. He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters: Roberta Miller, Grace Hart, Lulu Wolf, Halcy Marks and Esther Parrish, 3 brothers: Cecil, Lawrence and Orvis Samples, great grandchild; Ella Naomi Christian Samples and grandson: Christopher Lee Twibell. Survivors include his wife: Naomi Ruth (Strickland) of Muncie, 1 son: J.R. (Megan) Samples of Aurora, IL and 1 daughter: Renee (Barry) Twibell of Muncie; Grandchildren: Cory (Jamie) Twibell of Centennial, CO, Craig (Amber) Twibell of Jacksonville, FL, Andrew (Simone) Twibell of Bourbonnais, IL, Matthew (Meghen) Samples of Bradley, IL, Jessica (Bradley) Carter of Zionsville, Beth Twibell of Littleton, CO, Jack and Hannah Samples of Aurora, IL; Great grandchildren: Elijah Allen Twibell, Ethan James Twibell, Camren Joseph Twibell, Avery Renee Twibell and Lucas Andres Twibell, James Matthew Logan Samples, Avalee Rae Lynn Samples, and Benjamin Andrew Henry Samples; "Forever Family": Phyllis Jo (Fred) Hancock, Cheryl (Don) Sukut, Roger Douglas (Cheryl) Samples and Nancy Sue Samples (Chet) Fleming; other nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Sunday from 2-6 at the Middletown Church of the Nazarene, 698 North 5th, Middletown. Friends may also call one hour before the services on Monday at the church. A Celebration of his life will be held Monday at 11:00 am at the Middletown Church of the Nazarene with Dr. Philip C. Rogers, Rev. Andrew Twibell, Rev. David Whitteberry and Dr. Doug Samples officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Muncie. Online Guestbook at: www.ballardandsons.com . Memorials may be made to the Middletown Church of the Nazarene. The Ballard family is honored to celebrate the life of Jim with family and friends. SERVICES Visitation Sunday, July 16, 2017 Middletown Church of the Nazarene 698 North 5th Middletown, Indiana Funeral Service Monday, July 17, 201711:00 AM Middletown Church of the Nazarene 698 North 5th Middletown, Indiana