Charles Fred Samples

1938–2024 - Charles Fred Samples of Scappoose, Oregon, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2024, at the age of 85. Fred was born on November 28, 1938, to Charles E. Samples and Agnes I. Kolcz. Raised in Raymond, WA, he worked in his parents' service station as a teen. His time there taught him the value of hard work and the importance of keeping your word. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1960 with a degree in business administration. The bulk of Fred's career was spent as a commercial loan officer at US Bank. His financial acumen was so ingrained that he never failed to meticulously balance his checkbook down to the penny. By hand. It was a point of pride for him, as was being a UW alumni, as anyone who has heard his ringtone blaring out the UW fight song can attest.

Fred was a people person par excellence. He was the kind of guy who could walk into a hardware store in any town and, twenty minutes later, be best friends with everyone there. He enjoyed spending his mornings shooting the breeze with his coffee buddies and charming the Starbucks baristas. Another source of joy were his children and grandchildren. He was a frequent and welcome presence in their lives and always their biggest supporter, and he particularly loved taking his granddaughters to Sauvie Island to search for the largest peaches and apples they could find. When weather and time permitted, he loved to go to the farms in Eastern Oregon and help the farmers "handle" their varmint problem.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne L. Rickert. They were married for 41 years and are survived by two children: Vicki and Derek; four grandchildren: Alex, Madelyn, Jessica, and Emma; and three great-grandchildren: Owen, Emilia, and Leo.

Generous in spirit and action, a perpetual optimist, and a friend to everyone, Fred will be missed by all who had the good fortune to cross his path.

Come join Fred's family and friends at one of Fred's favorite places, Fultano's Pizza in Scappoose, on June 17, 2024 from 11:30 to 2:00 to share memories and stories, and honor a life lived to the fullest.