Obituary of John W Sams
John Wayne Sams, age 75, of Leicester, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, NY. He was born on Eglin Airforce base; he was a proud Marine following in his father’s footsteps by joining USMC. John served in the Vietnam War era as an aviator, flying F-4 fighter jets off of aircraft carriers, including Kennedy and Midway. He retired from USMC after 24 years, as a major and with 2 Masters Degrees.
After his military retirement, he spent 10 years with Gwinnett County Sheriff department in Georgia before retiring and moving to Western NYS. After moving to NYS, John drove tour buses for Niagara Scenic. Though John lived all over the world, including Hawaii and Alaska, he most loved living in western NYS. He would comment almost daily that there was no other place in the world even comparable to the people, scenery, and seasons of western NYS.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie Michele Sams, 2 sons, Steven Sams of Georgia, Logan Sams of Texas, stepson, Jack Reddy, stepdaughters, Brianna Crews and Taylor Hurst both of Georgia, Brittany Hendrickson and Alyssa Buffum both of Texas, grandchildren, Owen Hendrickson, Thomas Crews, and Hayden Hendrickson, sisters, Cheryl Sams Long of Georgia, Teresa Sams Jackson of Georgia, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl Wayne and Betty Jo Spiegel Sams, his sister, Donna Marisa Sams and his stepmother, Regina Sams.
John also wanted to thank his:
Good friends – Tim and Kathy Carnes for 20 years of friendship, love and support
Christine Patrick – for finding every possible Friday fish fry this past year
Ruth Witter – for helping with anything and everything for both John and Leslie in the past 5 years
Rob and Mary Mastin – for helping to maintain house and property this past year
Scott Kelly – for painting, fixing, and putting together many, many items this past year
John will be buried per his wishes with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
There will be a celebration of John’s life with visitation on Tuesday, March 22nd from 2-4 at High Banks Tavern. (36 Main Street Mt. Morris 14510). In John’s final 6 months, John loved eating at High Banks Tavern and in his final 6 months, (able to still tolerate and enjoy many menu items), he ate here several times per week.
Memorial donations may be made to the Perry Vets Club, 64 Lake St., Perry, NY 14530 or the
Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1650 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14620.
