Jack Sampson, long-time resident, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at Box Butte General Hospital. Jack was born on May 5, 1919, in Ashby, Nebraska, to Ida (Etter) Sampson and John E. Sampson.
He was a graduate of Alliance High School in 1936. He attended the University of Nebraska where he studied drafting and was a weight-lifting instructor. Jack's interest in weight- lifting activities began before he became an instructor. He also enjoyed hand-to-hand balancing and was given the title "The Perfect Man. He was influential in launching the publication "Iron Man," a weight-lifting magazine that continues to this day.
He returned to Alliance and met and married the love of his life, Loretta J. Dentler. He asked for her hand in marriage in May 1941, and they wed on August 10, 1941. Jack always joked that he would have married her sooner, but Loretta believed in long engagements.
Jack worked as a draftsman at the Alliance air base before being inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. Jack was chosen, out of many applicants, to create three-dimensional contour maps. Even while Jack was in the service, his artistic ability was recognized by a commanding officer who commissioned him to sculpt a statue in a garden near the officers' quarters. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946.
After being self-employed for several years, Jack went to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center on the G.I. Bill where he continued his lifelong education and passion for the arts. On his return to Alliance, he became employed as a successful painter/contractor for many years. About this time, Jack was commissioned to paint murals in private homes as well as the Methodist Church, the Indian Mission, and the Drake Hotel.
In 1960, Jack and Loretta bought a ranch east of Alliance. Jack and Loretta raised registered cattle and, for a number of years, had one of the largest hog operations in the Panhandle. At the same time, Jack amassed a large collection of art books on methodology and works of the world's masters. He drew and painted daily and shared his gift as an artist and educator with many students. Jack and Loretta took great pride in the fact that their three children graduated from colleges in Omaha, Kearney and Chadron.
Several years ago, Jack and Loretta moved into Alliance due to health concerns. Jack continued to teach art lessons and to sketch on a weekly basis. His lifetime love of art led to earning best of-show honors at numerous art shows. His artwork can be found in various businesses around town and in many private homes.
Jack had lifelong friendships with many well-know artists. He supported the arts and loved to be involved in self-learning and instruction right up to the time of his passing. His family, friends, business associates and former students considered Jack to be kind, honorable, talented and an example of true integrity.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Loretta, his daughters, Jeanie Ray and husband, Jim, of Beulah, Colorado; Andrea Durfee of Lincoln, Nebraska; his son, John E. Sampson of Alliance and wife, Peggy; his sister, Jane McGuire, of California; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Larry Durfee.
Jack and Loretta would have been married sixty-nine years on August 10, 2010.
He was a graduate of Alliance High School in 1936. He attended the University of Nebraska where he studied drafting and was a weight-lifting instructor. Jack's interest in weight- lifting activities began before he became an instructor. He also enjoyed hand-to-hand balancing and was given the title "The Perfect Man. He was influential in launching the publication "Iron Man," a weight-lifting magazine that continues to this day.
He returned to Alliance and met and married the love of his life, Loretta J. Dentler. He asked for her hand in marriage in May 1941, and they wed on August 10, 1941. Jack always joked that he would have married her sooner, but Loretta believed in long engagements.
Jack worked as a draftsman at the Alliance air base before being inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. Jack was chosen, out of many applicants, to create three-dimensional contour maps. Even while Jack was in the service, his artistic ability was recognized by a commanding officer who commissioned him to sculpt a statue in a garden near the officers' quarters. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946.
After being self-employed for several years, Jack went to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center on the G.I. Bill where he continued his lifelong education and passion for the arts. On his return to Alliance, he became employed as a successful painter/contractor for many years. About this time, Jack was commissioned to paint murals in private homes as well as the Methodist Church, the Indian Mission, and the Drake Hotel.
In 1960, Jack and Loretta bought a ranch east of Alliance. Jack and Loretta raised registered cattle and, for a number of years, had one of the largest hog operations in the Panhandle. At the same time, Jack amassed a large collection of art books on methodology and works of the world's masters. He drew and painted daily and shared his gift as an artist and educator with many students. Jack and Loretta took great pride in the fact that their three children graduated from colleges in Omaha, Kearney and Chadron.
Several years ago, Jack and Loretta moved into Alliance due to health concerns. Jack continued to teach art lessons and to sketch on a weekly basis. His lifetime love of art led to earning best of-show honors at numerous art shows. His artwork can be found in various businesses around town and in many private homes.
Jack had lifelong friendships with many well-know artists. He supported the arts and loved to be involved in self-learning and instruction right up to the time of his passing. His family, friends, business associates and former students considered Jack to be kind, honorable, talented and an example of true integrity.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Loretta, his daughters, Jeanie Ray and husband, Jim, of Beulah, Colorado; Andrea Durfee of Lincoln, Nebraska; his son, John E. Sampson of Alliance and wife, Peggy; his sister, Jane McGuire, of California; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Larry Durfee.
Jack and Loretta would have been married sixty-nine years on August 10, 2010.
Jack Sampson, long-time resident, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at Box Butte General Hospital. Jack was born on May 5, 1919, in Ashby, Nebraska, to Ida (Etter) Sampson and John E. Sampson.
He was a graduate of Alliance High School in 1936. He attended the University of Nebraska where he studied drafting and was a weight-lifting instructor. Jack's interest in weight- lifting activities began before he became an instructor. He also enjoyed hand-to-hand balancing and was given the title "The Perfect Man. He was influential in launching the publication "Iron Man," a weight-lifting magazine that continues to this day.
He returned to Alliance and met and married the love of his life, Loretta J. Dentler. He asked for her hand in marriage in May 1941, and they wed on August 10, 1941. Jack always joked that he would have married her sooner, but Loretta believed in long engagements.
Jack worked as a draftsman at the Alliance air base before being inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. Jack was chosen, out of many applicants, to create three-dimensional contour maps. Even while Jack was in the service, his artistic ability was recognized by a commanding officer who commissioned him to sculpt a statue in a garden near the officers' quarters. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946.
After being self-employed for several years, Jack went to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center on the G.I. Bill where he continued his lifelong education and passion for the arts. On his return to Alliance, he became employed as a successful painter/contractor for many years. About this time, Jack was commissioned to paint murals in private homes as well as the Methodist Church, the Indian Mission, and the Drake Hotel.
In 1960, Jack and Loretta bought a ranch east of Alliance. Jack and Loretta raised registered cattle and, for a number of years, had one of the largest hog operations in the Panhandle. At the same time, Jack amassed a large collection of art books on methodology and works of the world's masters. He drew and painted daily and shared his gift as an artist and educator with many students. Jack and Loretta took great pride in the fact that their three children graduated from colleges in Omaha, Kearney and Chadron.
Several years ago, Jack and Loretta moved into Alliance due to health concerns. Jack continued to teach art lessons and to sketch on a weekly basis. His lifetime love of art led to earning best of-show honors at numerous art shows. His artwork can be found in various businesses around town and in many private homes.
Jack had lifelong friendships with many well-know artists. He supported the arts and loved to be involved in self-learning and instruction right up to the time of his passing. His family, friends, business associates and former students considered Jack to be kind, honorable, talented and an example of true integrity.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Loretta, his daughters, Jeanie Ray and husband, Jim, of Beulah, Colorado; Andrea Durfee of Lincoln, Nebraska; his son, John E. Sampson of Alliance and wife, Peggy; his sister, Jane McGuire, of California; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Larry Durfee.
Jack and Loretta would have been married sixty-nine years on August 10, 2010.
He was a graduate of Alliance High School in 1936. He attended the University of Nebraska where he studied drafting and was a weight-lifting instructor. Jack's interest in weight- lifting activities began before he became an instructor. He also enjoyed hand-to-hand balancing and was given the title "The Perfect Man. He was influential in launching the publication "Iron Man," a weight-lifting magazine that continues to this day.
He returned to Alliance and met and married the love of his life, Loretta J. Dentler. He asked for her hand in marriage in May 1941, and they wed on August 10, 1941. Jack always joked that he would have married her sooner, but Loretta believed in long engagements.
Jack worked as a draftsman at the Alliance air base before being inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. Jack was chosen, out of many applicants, to create three-dimensional contour maps. Even while Jack was in the service, his artistic ability was recognized by a commanding officer who commissioned him to sculpt a statue in a garden near the officers' quarters. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946.
After being self-employed for several years, Jack went to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center on the G.I. Bill where he continued his lifelong education and passion for the arts. On his return to Alliance, he became employed as a successful painter/contractor for many years. About this time, Jack was commissioned to paint murals in private homes as well as the Methodist Church, the Indian Mission, and the Drake Hotel.
In 1960, Jack and Loretta bought a ranch east of Alliance. Jack and Loretta raised registered cattle and, for a number of years, had one of the largest hog operations in the Panhandle. At the same time, Jack amassed a large collection of art books on methodology and works of the world's masters. He drew and painted daily and shared his gift as an artist and educator with many students. Jack and Loretta took great pride in the fact that their three children graduated from colleges in Omaha, Kearney and Chadron.
Several years ago, Jack and Loretta moved into Alliance due to health concerns. Jack continued to teach art lessons and to sketch on a weekly basis. His lifetime love of art led to earning best of-show honors at numerous art shows. His artwork can be found in various businesses around town and in many private homes.
Jack had lifelong friendships with many well-know artists. He supported the arts and loved to be involved in self-learning and instruction right up to the time of his passing. His family, friends, business associates and former students considered Jack to be kind, honorable, talented and an example of true integrity.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Loretta, his daughters, Jeanie Ray and husband, Jim, of Beulah, Colorado; Andrea Durfee of Lincoln, Nebraska; his son, John E. Sampson of Alliance and wife, Peggy; his sister, Jane McGuire, of California; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Larry Durfee.
Jack and Loretta would have been married sixty-nine years on August 10, 2010.
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