10507 Holmes Road
Kansas City, Missouri
Michael Dean Samms, 61, of Overland Park, KS, passed away, Wednesday, November 1, 2017.
Visitation will be from 2 - 6 pm Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3105 W. 135th Street, Leawood, KS 66204. Funeral Services will be 10 am Monday, November 6, 2017 at the Church with burial following in Mt. Moriah Cemetery South.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Heartland Tree Alliance, 1427 W, 9th St. Suite 201, Kansas City, MO 64101, James E. West Fund, Boy Scouts of America, 10210 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131, or Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
Michael was born on February 23, 1956 in Upper Darby Township in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Clarence and Shirley (Snyder) Samms affectionately known as Gene and Darlene. He graduated from Ulysses High School in Ulysses, Kansas and Wichita State University with a Finance Degree. Michael met Christine Twenhafel at Wichita State and they married on June 14, 1986 in Wichita, KS. He worked in Banking in Wichita and later in Health Care Administration. He worked for Health Midwest in Kansas City, Missouri. Michael was involved with Boy Scout Troop 201 and was an Assistant Scoutmaster and served as Committee Chair for the Troop.
Michael was a Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. He served the Redtail Hawk and Iron Horse Districts and currently serves at the Chairman for Community Service at the Heart of America Council. As part of his vision he designed the Heartland Tree Academy assisting Scouts to earn the Forestry Merit Badge and planted over 3000 trees in parks in the Kansas City Area. He also developed Dig Day teaming up with Kansas City Parks and Recreation to beautify the city for spring to help plant more than 80 of the city's community flower beds across 35 locations on Mother's Day weekend. He was an active member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church where he organized a community service day known as Greater Things.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and uncle, Bud Miller. He is survived by his wife, Christine Samms, children, Grant and Sarah Samms, sister, Darla (Samms) Piepmeier, uncle and aunts, Bob and Judy Snyder and Betty Miller.
Online condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home | Mount Moriah Cemetery Sout.
December 26, 2017
I am so sorry and sad. I worked for several years with Michael on the Scouting 500 Community Service committee. I learned a great deal about service and kindness from him. He once gave me a metal cross to carry in my pocket - and I do.
November 9, 2017
Bev VonHolt
I enjoyed working with Michael at HMCC and CC (SLCC). He was truly a man of faith, a great leader, treated everyone with respect, always gave second and third chances and was a true friend at all times. His passing leaves a deep hole in my heart and I pass on my condolences with grief and sadness. His loyalty, kindness, compassion, quick wit, infectious smile and joyful laugh will be remembered by those of us so privileged to know and love him.
Christina, Grant and Sara, please know our prayers are with you and all who grieve this great loss! God's Blessings.
November 8, 2017
Barbara Lawson
I worked for Michael at HMCC. He was an inspiration to all. His personality, kindness and leadership motivated us to follow the golden rule. He was a unique individual who was taken too soon. So sorry for your loss.
November 7, 2017
Coworker
Janet King
I feel blessed to have known Michael Samms. He was probably the kindest person I've met. What a great loss.
November 7, 2017
Lisa Rarick
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Michael was a great leader that I was fortunate enough to work with at HMCC. He inspired everyone to be a great person and always do the right thing. He will be missed!
November 7, 2017
We were so sorry to hear of Michael's passing. He had an amazing spirit and was so dedicated to his work. The small vision he came to us with grew into the planting of nearly 5,000 new trees and 300 scouts achieving their Forestry Merit badge. What a wonderful partner and volunteer to his community! Our thoughts are with you. Bridging The Gap's Heartland Tree Alliance
November 7, 2017
Praying God grants the family peace knowing Michael is at peace with the Prince of Peace.
November 6, 2017
Regina Deke
Christine, so sorry for your loss. In the midst of your sorrow may God give you peace.
November 6, 2017
Chris Rinella
Michael's passion to make the world around him a better place through selfless action was refreshing and contagious. I'm grateful to have had the privilege of working with Michael on community service projects and other Scouting initiatives. My sincere condolences for your loss. Thoughts and prayers with your family.
November 6, 2017
Maureen Liggett
Christine, Grant and Sarah,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and with Michael. I hope that you will be comforted by the joyful memories that you have --love sustains and conquers all.
November 5, 2017
Nancy Rowland
Michael was a friend & mentor to our family, our troop, our district and council. He will be missed by all! Neil,Nancy, Daniel & Mark Rowland
November 5, 2017
Christine, Grant and Sarah, Our sincerest condolence on your loss. Michael, Dao, Jessica, Aaron and Sarah
November 5, 2017
Christine, So sorry for your loss. Praying for and thinking of you and Grant and Sarah.
Suzee Vinyardi
November 5, 2017
Peggy Lampe
Christine: So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your children.
November 5, 2017
jodi Dinkins
Christine, I am thinking of you and your children.
Jodi Dinkins
November 5, 2017
Jeanne Flucke
Michael was our neighbor. He would be seen walking through the neighborhood, sometimes with Sarah's dog and sometimes without. Michael would take the time to stop and talk. He loved to talk about his children, the weather, etc. We are going to miss our neighbor!
November 5, 2017
Rob Jones
I'm honored to have known Michael through scouting. As a fellow Wood Badge Beaver Patrol member, I was blessed to join Michael in servant leadership. Michael dedicated his life to helping others and gave freely of his time, talent, and treasure to help youth and the causes he believed in. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be greatly missed.
November 4, 2017
Scott Weaver
I will always be glad for the gift of times that Michael and I spent in conversations and in planning community service projects for the Heart of America Council.
He was a gentleman. Knowing him was a privilege, and he is missed.
November 4, 2017
Greg Carpenter
We have many fond memories of Michael in Scouting . He will be missed in all aspects of Scouting and Church .. Rest in Peace my Brother , WWW Greg Carpenter and Susan Rodgers
November 4, 2017
Mary Illian
When I think of selfless, kind, dedicated, I think of Michael. I hope that he now can see how many lives he touched, how many boys he taught to become men, and how many people are better having known him. My heart is heavy for his family.
November 4, 2017
Darla: So sorry to learn of your brother's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Shirley Stein (Chandler, AZ)
November 4, 2017
Stanley & Janice Koehn
Words fall short of expressing our sorrow for your loss. We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mike. He was a very special person. Please accept our prayers, condolences, and love.
November 4, 2017
Ellen Taylor
My condolences go out to the entire Samms family. Although my connection was with Grant, as his art teacher, I do know that the love and leadership of his parents made Grant and Sarah the young people they are today. My heart aches for the loss that you must be feeling
November 4, 2017
Cindy Harms Hogan
I grew up in Mike's neighborhood at Kansas Power and Light outside Ulysses. Mike's family hosted the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration each year, and they were all very gracious people. It sounds like Mike continued that tradition in his life. So sorry to hear of his passing too soon.
November 4, 2017
Jeffrey Cook
Michael was an integral part of the Peace Light for Bethlehem initiative in 2011, and a fellow Vigil Honor Brother. He touched so many lives; prayers for his family and to the Brotherhood of Scouting.
Thank you, Michael - for your service and dedication. You will be missed.
Leadership in Service,
Jeff (Yogi)
Weuchsin Atta Tschepsit
"One Who Knows No Stanger" (Oct. 7-8, 2000)
November 4, 2017
Karen Eichorst
I don't think I have ever known a kinder, more generous person than Michael. His first response to any problem was to ask what he could do to help. He will always be remembered with love.
November 4, 2017
Sam Otto
So sorry to learn of Michael's passing. I was fortunate to know Michael through Scouting. We were in the Beaver Patrol together at Wood Badge. Michael made great contributions to the community. He will be greatly missed.
November 4, 2017
Alex Fagen
My boys and I, my troop, and all Boy Scouts in our community owe much to Michael. We will miss him tremendously.
November 3, 2017
Tom Matches
I admired Michael's selflessness and dedication. He was truly a model of servant leadership and a friend who will be missed.
November 3, 2017
Bob Clewell
Michael was a dear Scouting friend of mine. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the family.
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Funeral services provided by:
Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home | Mount Moriah Cemetery Sout10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131
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