Gary Edwin Sample

Gary Edwin Sample, age 68, of Hampstead, NC, went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2021. He was born in Hartford, CT on July 22, 1952 to Raymond Sample and Louise Sample. He was preceded in death by Raymond Sample, Louise Sample, Raymond (Fred) Sample, Donald Sample and Debra Sample.

Gary had a special place in his heart for the ocean. He loved his life and always said that he lived in paradise here on earth. He boated out to the island to watch the sunset nightly, no matter the weather. He loved his family, friends, business associates and neighbors. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, rescue a stranded boater, fix a motor, tow a boat, or drag a dock to safety during a storm. If you looked overheated mowing your lawn, he would grab his mower and do that too. He and his tractor would be sure to help get the seagrass off and move things after a hurricane. He surely had a sense of humor, was always in command with everything he did and the took joy in being the life of the party. He will live in our hearts forever as we reflect on the life of a truly monumental man.

As a professional, Gary was a titan of the food delivery industry. He took great pride in the partnerships he built with his customers, prioritizing their needs throughout as CEO of Delivery Concepts East. He designed specialty vehicles for life-saving meal programs across the United States, through which the impact of his work will continue in his absence. It is no exaggeration to say Gary Sample revolutionized the meal delivery industry in his nearly five-decade career. Gary also loved the Kona Ice business he shared with Pam for more than a decade and the joy it brought to their community.

A bold and charismatic man, Gary cultivated professional relationships in both businesses that grew into meaningful personal connections. He will be dearly missed by his colleagues, his friends, and those who were fortunate enough to be both.

Gary is survived by his wife, Pam Sample, son, Gary E. Sample, Jr., daughter Ashley Todd and husband Brian, his grandchildren, Robert Evans III, Tyler Larkin, Trey Sample, Brandon Sample, extended parents of grandchildren, Carin Heins and Robert Evans, II, along with many beloved cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and families, his many friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 with Pastor Phil Ortego officiating at Coble Funeral and Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park located at 1155 Shipyard Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 2840. No interment will follow at this time.

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Scholarship funds have been established in Gary’s memory through Meals on Wheels America and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP). Donations made in Gary’s memory will fund scholarships for Meals on Wheels and NANASP programs to attend annual conferences.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

-Meals on Wheels America: www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/GarySample

If donating by check, please include “honoring Gary Sample” on the check memo and mail to:

Meals on Wheels America,

1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 1004

Arlington, VA 22202

-NANASP: www.nanasp.org/NANASP2021Conference

If donating by check, please include “Gary Sample Memorial” on the check memo and mail to:

NANASP

1612 K Street Suite 200

Washington, D.C. 20006

Online contributions may be made by clicking the links below: