JOHN LYNN SAMS

John Lynn Sams, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 6, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born June 17, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Joseph and Dolly Huckstep Sams. He was first married to Belva K. Atchley on Aug. 6, 1949, at Cape Girardeau . She died Oct. 29, 1970. He then married Nadine L. Babb on Nov. 27, 1971, at Mattoon, Ill. She survives.

Sams was a member of the First Church of Nazarene. He was a member of VFW Post 3838 and a Master Mason in Mattoon. He belonged to the Elks Lodge in Mattoon.

He was an Army veteran and served in the Asian and Pacific Theaters in World War II, earning a Bronze Star and Victory Ribbon, Tech 5.

He was a 1942 graduate of Cape Central High School and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree.

He worked in the coal industry for 32 years with Cape Coal Co. and Sahara Coal Co. as vice president. He moved back to Cape Girardeau 10 years ago and worked for Sams and Associates Insurance Services.

He is survived by two sons, Don Sams of Granite Bay, Calif., and John L. Sams Jr. of Marietta, Ga.; a daughter, Sharon Kimmel of Chicago; a brother, Otis Sams of Cape Girardeau; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Revs. William Burke and E.K. Purcell officiating. VFW Post 3838 will perform a graveside service.