Obituary of Mark Desmond Sample

Mark Desmond Sample was born in Seattle, WA to Ramona Adams, of blessed memory. In 1962, Ramona married Herbert W. Sample, OBM, who adopted Mark and gave him his name. Mark loved all sports and was an accomplished violinist. Upon graduation from Fairfax High School in 1971, he promptly married Lucie Behar. They lived and worked in the Los Angeles (9 years), San Bernardino (16 years), and San Diego areas (17 years) before settling in Las Vegas in 2013. Mark played semi-professional football from 1971 to 1982 as an offensive lineman and center, and he worked as a veterinary assistant, chef, caterer, bodyguard, private investigator, and his career of data and telephone wire installer. After retiring due to health concerns, in 1999 he became the primary caregiver of his grandchildren, and later informally adopted adult children Marcus, OBM, Julieta, and Amira. He loved Judaism, football, fishing, cooking, his Corvette, and spy novels. Mark volunteered at Temple Sinai as the Kitchen Manager and Executive Chef. He also worked with the Nevada Youth Football League coaching football and as a Commissioner. After a long battle, cancer finally took him from us on January 17, 2019. Mark was predeceased by his son, Marcus Gonzales. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Lucie; children Julieta B. Gonzales (Jesse) and Amira Sample (Nelson Grogan); grandchildren (the loves of his life) Tifferet, Tikvah and Arianna Sample and Guillermina, Lizette and Donna Gonzales, Emounn Washington; and nephew Jordan Hoffman (Olivia Gillam).   A memorial service will take place at 12:30 PM on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Temple Sinai, 9001 Hillpointe Road, Las Vegas, NV  89134.