James “Jim” E. Sampson, 88, of Ottumwa died at 5:30 a.m. September 21, 2026 at Vista Woods Care Center.
He was born November 2, 1937 at home in the Williamson coal mining camp to Edward O. and Georgina Watt Sampson. Jim married Edna “Sandy” Simmons and they later divorced. He married Mary Alice Logan April 29, 1989.
A 1956 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Jim served in the US Navy for 4 years. He worked for 2-Way Radio Co. in Pennsylvania for 2 years. Jim moved back to Ottumwa in 1963 and worked at John Deere Ottumwa Works as an inspector, retiring in 1996.
He was a member, officer, steward and financial secretary for UAW Local #74. Jim enjoyed playing golf especially with Ken Steffan and Lonnie Haines. He enjoyed happy hour and watching the Green Bay Packers. He especially loved spending time with his friends and family.
Surviving is his wife, Mary Alice; 3 children, Wade Sampson of Ottumwa, Robert (Andrea) Wilcox of Troy, Illinois and JoAnn (Keith) Belau of Kingsville, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Dana (Dan), James (Myah), Zach (Brittany), Melanie (Jamie), Dana (Marcus), Cody (Ashley), Marissa (Mat), Keanna (Andrew) and Logan (Ally); 16 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Thomas L Sampson of Florida, Jessie Feehan of Ottumwa and Mary (Frances) Carruthers of Ottumwa; a brother-in-law, Lonnie Haines of Ottumwa; sister-in-law, Carol (Rich) Riley of Indiana, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jamie Giddings; an infant brother Joseph; a brother, John Sampson; sisters, Elizabeth Haines and JoAnne Feehan; and daughter-in-law Brenda Sampson.
Visitation will be open 11 a.m. Friday September 25th at Reece Funeral Home with family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday September 26th at Reece Funeral Home with Chaplain Doug McAntire officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery. Military services will be conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date.
