Clarence E. Samms "Gene", 84, passed away on Feb. 16, 2015, at Mennonite Friendship Comm-unities, South Hutchinson. He was born Jan. 11, 1931, in Atlanta, Kan., to Lorenzo "Ed" and Nora B. (Petty) Samms.

Gene graduated from Sylvia High School in 1949. He served from 1950-56 in the U.S. Army National Guard as a sergeant first class, Headquarters Battery 130th Field Artillery Group, and in the U.S. Navy as a seaman recruit, V-6 USNR. On Feb. 19, 1951, he married Shirley "Darlene" Snyder in LaCrosse, Wis. She passed away May 3, 1997. Gene retired after 32 years with Kansas Power and Light (KPL) as plant superintendent. While he lived in Ulysses, he was a volunteer for five years as an EMT.

On Oct. 21, 2000, he married Marcelee Webb in South Hutchinson. She passed away Oct. 21, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. Survivors include: daughter, Darla Piepmeier and fiancé Ashraf Zikri; son, Michael Samms and wife Christine; grandchildren, Jami Scott and husband Adam, Kara Taylor and husband Shanen, Grant Samms, Sarah Samms; great-grandchildren, Sedona, and Sierra Scott, Emersen, Colsen, Avalen, Boden, and Veren Taylor; sister, Lena Collier; stepsons, Terry Webb and wife Teresa, Steve Webb and wife Sharon; stepdaughter, Kathy Webb; step-great-grandchildren, Jordon, Jared and Alex Scott; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Judy Snyder; sister-in-law, Betty Miller; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family present will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. at South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Warren Hett presiding. Burial will follow in Peace Creek Cemetery, Stafford. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.