Ronald Lee “John” Sams, Sr., 67, of Chillicothe unexpectedly passed from this life on Friday morning, August 12, 2016 at his residence.  He was born October 4, 1948 in Chillicothe, the son of Everett E., Sr. and Georgia Ann Vandemark Sams.  On July 15, 1981 he married Terry L. Elliott who survives.

Also surviving are his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilbur and Elizabeth Elliott, Frankfort; daughters, Sarah E. Sams and Jessica (Daniel) Helsel, all of Chillicothe; sons, Christopher Hurley, Christiansburg, VA, Ronald Lee Sams, Jr., Brian Lee (Tammi) Sams, Matthew David (Shelley) Sams and Jeremy A.W. (Amanda Dawn) Sams, all of Chillicothe; 22 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; sisters, Betty Ray, Londonderry and Sharon Sams, Columbus; a brother, Everett E. Sams, Jr., Chillicothe and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special nephew, Everett E. Sams, III.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Anderson Sams, a sister, Judith Ann Rogers and a sister-in-law, Carol Sams.

Mr. Sams was an independent electrician, retiring in 2011.  He was a United States Marine Corps veteran, serving in Vietnam.  An avid horse trainer and racer, he was a former member of the Ohio State Racing Commission.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in the FAWCETT OLIVER GLASS AND PALMER FUNERAL HOME with Rev. Mark Pfeifer officiating.  Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens with military rites by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until the hour of service on Wednesday.

The Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sams family. 

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