John R. Samuelson

John R. Samuelson 98, died September 19, 2021 at his Newton residence.  He was born July 5, 1923 in Page City (Logan County) Kansas to Anton and Anna (Peterson) Samuelson.  On March 3, 1973 he married Dorothy (Rogers) Brown at Salina, Kansas and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2001.

John served his county in the United States Army during WWII where among other distinctions and stories of war time he shared, he got to change the oil on General Patton’s jeep.

He was a graduate of Page City High School and graduated with a Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. While at Fort Hays he played basketball and was the homecoming king. John’s working years he was a teacher and principal in Northwest Kansas schools, where he also coached football and basketball.  He retired from the Russell, Kansas school system.

John was a lifelong Lutheran until he married Dorothy and moved to Newton where he became a longtime active member of the Salem United Methodist Church.  He was an avid news watcher, enjoyed fishing and played golf in his younger years. John was also known as an outstanding wood worker.

His greatest joy was his family and he was an outstanding Dad and Grandpa. He kept in contact with his family remembering birthdays and special holidays with a phone call or card.  As a people person John also enjoyed his time with his friends visiting and catching up with each other’s lives.

He is survived by his daughter Kay Dey; granddaughter Carly Webb; step-daughters: Denise Brown and Marilyn Brown; step-son Steve Brown; 16 grandchildren and many beloved great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; daughter Mona Jimenez and 5 brothers.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2^nd 2021 at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel with The Reverend Donna Voteau presiding.  Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m.   Burial with military honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery Newton.

Memorials may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society in care of Petersen Funeral Home