Long-time basketball coach Claude Gene Samson, 76, died Sunday at Village Care Center in Maryville.
Born November 1, 1936, to Francis and Gladys (Bowen) Samson, Claude once held the statewide record for most victories by any high school basketball coach in Missouri.
A 1954 Maryville High School graduate, he held a bachelor’s degree in physical education and industrial arts as well as a master’s degree in education from Northwest Missouri State University.
A teacher for over 30 years, Claude coached both boys and girls Bluejay basketball teams at Northeast Nodaway High School in Ravenwood for a total of 26 years. In 1990 he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the James Edward Gray American Legion Post #100, Maryville.
His hobbies included golfing, fishing and playing Trivial Pursuit. He enjoyed taking trips out West to visit relatives and was an avid Chiefs fan.
Preceding Claude in death were his parents and brother, Merle Samson.
Claude is survived by his son, Kelly, and Kelly’s wife, Sally, of Bainbridge Island, WA; daughter, Vikki, and her husband, Dick Klanderman, of Hammond, WI; five grandchildren; two sisters, Zella Hall, of Fairbanks, AK, and Shirley Reynolds, of Maryville; two brothers, Hartford Samson, of Maryville, and Jack Samson, of Bremerton, WA; several nieces and nephews, and his former wife, Coralea Samson, of Maryville.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Price Funeral Home, Maryville.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Maryville First Christian Church. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Maryville.
Memorials may be directed to the Athletic department of Northeast Nodaway R-V School System, Ravenwood, MO 64479.
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