SAMPSON, PHILIP HOBART, 83, of Poinciana, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Born in Pembroke, North Carolina, Phil was an IT professional in the communications industry, starting his career with 25 years at AT&T, followed by consulting, time at Intermedia Corporation, and J.W. Appley & Son. He finished his professional career as a substitute teacher, giving back one last time like so many educators in his family before him.

Phil graduated from John Marshall High School in Cleveland, Ohio in 1960 and then attended Miami University for one year. He was drafted during the Vietnam War into the Army Intelligence Corps and was fortunately stationed in Brooklyn, New York.

He was able to finish his studies under the GI Bill and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University.

Phil was a wonderful father and husband who spent many years coaching his sons and their friends in baseball and basketball. He and his wife JoAnn made sure every year to travel to see friends and family or host them in sunny Florida. They maintained friendships from all different decades of their lives, showing how important friendship is to happiness and fulfillment. Phil was an avid golfer and organized an annual golf trip for seven of his closest friends for almost 20 years, which started as a gift from his wife JoAnn for his 50th birthday at Pinehurst.

Survivors include his sons Scott Sampson (Christa Sanders and her son Dylan) of Longwood, Florida, Brad Sampson (Lynn Lamar-Sampson) and grandsons Alden and Finley of Lithia, Florida, siblings Eudora Donovan, Betty Shuster, and Joseph Sampson of Cleveland, Ohio. His wife of 40 years, JoAnn Sampson (Kubina) preceded him in death as well as his parents, Joseph and Rosa, and his brother Charles. Phil was a beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home in Riverview, Florida on Friday, February 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 14 at 11:00 am at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Riverview, Florida. Interment will be at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park following the Mass.

Condolences may be offered at www.serenitymeadows.com and donations can be made to the Oscar R. Sampson Endowed Scholarship at:

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