Donald "Don" Duane Sampson, age 85, of Traverse City, passed away on Thursday, July 9, at Munson Hospital, after a short illness.

Don was born on December 2, 1929, in Averill, Michigan. His parents were Erven Sampson and Daisy A. (Sorg) Sampson. Don had a brother, Lawrence and a sister, Patricia. He attended elementary school in Sanford, Michigan and graduated from Cadillac High School in 1948. On August 6, 1950, he married Phyllis M. Witkop in Traverse City.

Don worked in the Grand Traverse area with his father as a mechanical services contractor from 1955 until his father's passing. Then Don continued the business working with his son, Charles. Their activities were plumbing, HVAC installation and custom metal working. The father/son/grandson business enjoyed decades-long relationships with many of their customers. Don continued to assist other contractors after his "retirement" and effectively worked in the contracting business for over fifty years. He enjoyed having places to go, people to see, and things to do.

Don's hobbies included fishing, gardening, maple-syrup production, and above all, doing things with his friends and neighbors. He enjoyed working with tools and machinery for his entire life. Don worked as hard at his hobbies as he did at his business. Don and Phyllis traveled to Canada to fish on a regular basis for thirty years. Don gardened extensively. He grew record-setting pumpkins and gave away produce to everyone. He worked at improving his maple syrup production methods every year.

Don really enjoyed activities with his friends and neighbors. He was always happy to see his friends, and happy to help anyone.

Don is survived by his daughter Rebecca (Traverse City), his daughter Debra (Kingsley), his grand-daughter Shannon Huey (Interlochen), his great grand-daughter Tatianna Smith (Interlochen) and his sister Patricia Maxwell (Muskegon). He is also survived by his uncle, Chuck (Kay) Sorg (Midland), nephews Kim (LouAnne) Weese, Traverse City, Shawn (Cindy) Weese (Rockwood), niece Marina Weese, Traverse City and sister-in-law Selma Weese (Traverse City). He is also survived by numerous cousins.

Don was pre-deceased by his wife Phyllis, his son Charles, his brother Lawrence and his parents Erven Sampson and Daisy Sampson.

Don's life should be described as "A Good Man."

Friends are welcome to visit with Don's family on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49686.

A funeral service honoring Don will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at the funeral home with visitation held one hour prior. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery.

Please share your memories with Don's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.