SERVED OVER 30 YEARS WITH HENDERDSONVILLE POLICE
James “Jim” Edward Sams, age 86 of Mills River, NC, passed away Sunday, August 27th, 2017. He was born May 12th, 1931 in Asheville to Frank and Daisy Sams. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Smith, and his brothers, Bill and Ernest Sams.
Jim served as a member of the United States Navy and was an auctioneer. In his early years he was employed by Ingles as a front manager and worked for GE, Biltmore Dairy, Hendersonville Post Office, Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, and then Hendersonville Police Department for over 30 years before he retired. He was an active board member for the West Henderson Youth Football Organization. After retiring, he served as a security officer at West Henderson High School. He was a member of French Broad Baptist Church and loved the Lord.
Jim loved people and never met a stranger, loved to laugh and tell jokes. He enjoyed playing softball, and golf, officiating youth sports and woodworking in his shop. He loved sitting on the porch watching the deer roam the yard, vacationing at the beach, and Hot Dog World. He had a multitude of collections and enjoyed visiting estate sales. Most of all, he loved his family. He never forgot a birthday and would always call to sing “Happy Birthday”.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Pat, his faithful dog, Yoda, his brother, Frank “Bud” Sams, and his sisters, Hilda Brannon and Norma Jones; his children, Jimmie Lynn Whitmire (John) of Zirconia, NC, Norman Sams (Tami) of North Pole, AK, Perry Sams (Kelly) of Concord, NC, Tammy Creasman (Blake) of Mills River, NC, Jason Sams (Kim) of Sanford, NC, Jamie Norman (Brent) of Loris, SC, Patrick Sams (Wendy) of Reidsville, NC ; his 12 grandchildren, John, Craig, Collin, Hope, Seth, Justin, Courtney, Kolby, Grayson, Parker, Jonah and Maddie; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1st, 2017 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel. The family will gather with friends immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jim’s memory be directed to Mills River Fire Department, 121 School House Road, Mills River, NC 28759.
