Ian David Sampson, 72, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2020 at his home in Puyallup, WA. Ian was diagnosed in January with an aggressive Glioblastoma brain tumor. His faith enabled him to live his remaining eight weeks with a dignified grace indicative of his total acceptance that our Lord had determined it was Ian’s time to return to his Heavenly Home. Ian was born on April 29, 1947 in Port Pirie, South Australia, to Richard Harry Sampson and Shirley Joyce (Porter) Sampson. The majority of his boyhood years were spent in Glenelg, South Australia, a suburb of Adelaide. Ian was known to be a fun loving, sometimes mischievous young man who had a zest for life. After completing high school, Ian spent several years in the Australian Army, serving in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. He was an expert marksman and also earned a black belt in Taekwondo during that time. Ian married his wife, Gail, in 1976 in Australia. They had two children, Emily and Paul, before immigrating back to the USA, his wife’s native country. Ian worked several jobs before deciding to return to school for a degree in Resource, Recreation and Tourism, leading to what would become his lifelong career as an Interpretive Naturalist and Guest Speaker on small cruise ships. He completed a full cruise season with American Cruise Lines shortly before learning of his tumor. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ian held many positions within the Church over his years of membership. Most recently Ian loved serving in the Seattle, Washington Temple during the cruise line off season. Ian enjoyed watching, participating, and refereeing a variety of sports. His favorites to play were Cricket, Aussie Rules Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He also loved to swim and surf. Ian refereed basketball, and umpired softball for many years. Dearly loved by his 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, he is already missed greatly. He loved being a grandfather and spending time both individually and with the group of them. They would anxiously await his return when Grandpa was away “on the boat”. Ian was preceded in death by his father, Richard Harry Sampson. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Joyce Sampson, his wife Thea Gail (Gerlach) Sampson, children Emily Therese Criddle (Brian), and Ian Paul Sampson (Beth), 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. At this time, due to the COVID-19 situation, no public funeral services are scheduled. A celebration of Ian’s life will be held in a few months once restrictions have been lifted. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org/donate. (Ian had said if he ever won a million dollars, he would give a huge donation to St. Jude.) Thank you to Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel for taking totally professional and precious care of Ian and his remains after his death.