Jon Philip Sample

NORTH CANTON - Lt. Col. USAF Ret. Jon Philip Sample, a good and honorable man of service to others, has passed on to his heavenly home. After an accident in Florida, he was unable to recover. Jon was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1941, to Mae and Ralph Sample. He was greeted by siblings; Don and Jo, and later came sisters, Judy and Martha. He was always his own person and enjoyed playing in the pasture with his dog and pony, Champ. After graduating from the University of Akron, Jon was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Air Force. He soon married his college sweetheart, Judy Costello of Akron, Ohio, and off they went to 60 years of travels and adventures. His first assignment was at Kincheloe Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Next, Jon was stationed on Mactan Island in the Philippines, where he was in charge of base security. Later, Jon was sent along with Judy, to Hawaii for three years, where he headed up security at Hickam Air Force Base. Many assignments followed and along the way, Jon became the father to three sons: Jon, II (Jennifer), and children, Janeen, Scot, and Robert; Matthew, with daughters, Saffron and Keeley; and Mark (Kyra), with sons, Nikolai and Aleksei. Nine great-grandchildren later came along. Jon's second job was with State Farm Insurance, where he retired with 38 years' service. He retired from the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, with 25 years' service in the Reserves and the rank of Lt. Colonel. Jon was a hard and dedicated worker. He always had a project. His love for his family was evident in everything he did and said. He was proud of every one of them. He also loved traveling with Judy all over the world. His later years were spent volunteering with Judy in Florida and Texas State Parks, which they did for a decade. Jon was a good and faithful servant and honorable to the core. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224, on Friday, January 20, 2023, for visitation from 4 to 6 PM. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 11 AM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2952 Edison Street, NW, Uniontown, OH 44685, Father John Zapp celebrant. Friends may call at the Church from 10 AM until time of the Mass. Private interment will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, with honors provided by the U.S. Air Force. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org), Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org), or Food For The Poor, (foodforthepoor.org).