Kenny Sample

A Celebration of Life for Kenneth Dale Sample, of Casa Grande, AZ, formerly of Dickinson, ND, will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND. Visitation for Kenny will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the day of the service.

Kenny Sample passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 88. Kenny was the third child of Peryl Coleman Sample and Merrill Sample. He was born in Big Springs, Nebraska, and attended grade school and high school there, proudly graduating with the Class of 1954.

Following high school, Kenny worked throughout Utah, California, Colorado, and Wyoming before returning to Kimball. He later worked in oil fields while attending HSJC part time and owned and operated gas stations and a cattle trucking company. After moving back to Chappell, he operated a business for a time before returning to the oil industry in North Dakota.

Kenny was first married to Mary Louise Russell in Kimball, and to this union three sons were born: Gerald "Scott," Kenneth "Todd," and John "Jeff." He later married Shirley Larson, gaining two stepchildren, Lance and DeeAnn.

Kenny loved golfing and was an avid football fan. He spent 34 years working in Dickinson with BJ Hughes and Weatherford, finishing his career with Wyoming Casing. He was known across the Williston Basin as "the classiest dressed salesman" in the oil field.

Over the years, Kenny enjoyed many trips to Spearfish and Sturgis, often traveling in his Thunderbird or Corvette. He served proudly in many organizations including CVFD President, Chappell Jaycees President, BPOE, Dickinson API, North Dakota Petroleum Council, and United Way Director.

In 2013, he received the Outstanding Service Award from the North Dakota Petroleum Council for his dedicated years in the oil industry. He was also a lifetime member of the Casa Grande Elks Lodge No. 1957 and held an honorary membership of 65 years.

Kenny's work ethic started young delivering the North Platte newspaper, stocking shelves at the Co-Op store, and working farm labor through high school. He spent three years in both football and basketball.

Kenny retired at the age of 75 from Wyoming Casing and settled in Casa Grande, Arizona with his wife Shirley, whom he lovingly shared 26 years with.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Sample; his sons, Scott (Debbie) Sample, Todd (Pauline) Sample, and Jeff (Becki) Sample; and his stepchildren, Lance (Angie) Larson; and DeeAnn (Cally) Marsh, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Perly Sample; his sister, Vivian Drohburger; and his brothers, Gerald and Larry Sample.

Kenny's favorite saying, remembered by all who knew him, was:

"If it wasn't for the Bakken, we'd be walking."

Today, January 22, we gather to celebrate this remarkable man, the lasting impact he had on his family and friends, and to honor what would have been his 89th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship that will be established in Kenny Samples name.