Thomas (Tom) Edward Sample passed away peacefully on the morning of October 5, 2026, at the age of 96. He was born on September 29, 1930, in the Sample Sanitarium in Fresno, California. Tom was the son of Harry and Edna Sample, and younger brother to Jane Creager and Bonner Sample, or “little Tommy” as they called him, even into his older years.
Tom is a direct descendant of the pioneer Sample family who settled 140 years ago in the Academy area east of Clovis, California. Over the years, Tom recalled his most memorable experience, as a young boy, was that of going on cattle drives in the western Sierra Nevada mountains with his father, brother, uncles, and cousins.
He attended Academy Elementary, what is known today as Dry Creek Elementary. After graduating from Clovis High School in 1948, he attended Fresno State where he studied agricultural business. Tom then joined the United States Coast Guard, where he served his country for three-and-a-half years during the Korean conflict. Upon his return, Tom became reacquainted with his family’s cattle business operation and farm real estate sales, which inspired him to join Wells Fargo Bank’s agricultural department from where he retired after 24 years of banking service.
After retirement, Tom returned to ranching and continued to live east of Clovis in the Big Dry Creek-Academy area. He was very involved with various local agricultural projects and charities and was a proud member of the Clovis Rodeo Association since May of 1950, where he served as a director for several years and president from 1979 to 1980. In 2007, he was named the Clovis Rodeo Grand Marshall. Tom was also a member of the Fresno-Kings County Cattleman’s Association.
In addition to his career and volunteer opportunities, Tom was a world traveler – Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Australia – to name a few. He also had a love for the California coastline, specifically Cambria, and a zest for skiing, having visited several snow resorts throughout the United States.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Tracy Sample DeGraw; granddaughter Michael Maria Jarl and her husband Erik; and their children, Calie, Jack, and Finley; and granddaughter Bailey Routt and her husband Jeffrey; and their daughter, Madeline.
The family also wishes to give thanks to the dedicated care givers who provided and tenderly cared for Tom during the last few years of his life.
A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Academy Cemetery, 10880 Mendocino Avenue, Clovis, CA 93619, followed by a Celebration of Life and luncheon.
In honor of Tom, remembrances may be made to the Clovis-Big Dry Creek Museum and Historical Society at 401 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612, or to the Academy Church Circle, P.O. Box 1453, Clovis, CA 93613.
