John Phillip Samsell Jr., 84, of Morgantown, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 9, 2019, at his residence.
He was born Aug. 23, 1934, in Morgantown, a son of the late John Phillip and June Gidley Samsell.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Perry Ann Wethered Samsell; two children, John Paul Samsell and Martha Sue Samsell, both of Morgantown; and siblings, George, Joe, Lee, Barbara, Rilla and Lennie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Perry Brown Samsell.
Following his graduation from Morgantown High School, John then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from West Virginia University. He spent two years in the United States Navy after graduating college, and then returned home to work, finally retiring as a news editor with The Dominion Post. Following his retirement, he continued to work for the paper on a part-time basis and wrote columns for them until 2018.
Friends are asked to join the family for a memorial service to be held at Smith Funeral & Cremation Care, 108 Holland Ave., at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, March 12, officiated by Pastor Dan Meadows. There is no prior visitation with the family.
John will be inurned with his family at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.
The family requests that no flowers be sent to the funeral home, and contributions in his memory be made to Morgantown Hospice, 3596 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Condolences: smithfcc.com
