[Funeral Program for Benjamin Norris Samples] Page: 5 of 10
1 pamphlet (8 p.) : col. ill. ; 28 cm. + 1 clipping (ill. ; 10 x 28 cm.)View a full description of this pamphlet.
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Benjamin enjoyed every aspect of his son's life. When Benjamin, II was 4 years
old, they enjoyed attending the San Antonio Spurs Basketball games. Driving him to
soccer, hockey, lacrosse, softball, basketball, football, and of course piano, flute and
voice lessons. His appreciation in having Benjamin II study law, was the epitome of a
dream come true. Up until the last week of his death, he communicated daily with his
son regarding his progress towards his May 16, 2009 graduation from Southern Univer-
sity School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
"A Life Well Lived" From "Bartender "to the"Bar" to the "Bench"
" While working as a bartender at a Country Club in Dallas, Texas, I told an anonymous gentleman
that I wanted to become a lawyer! He gave me a business card and stated that when you are ready to
attend law school, you may call me. " After planning for my future, the call was made and off to St.
Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, I went. " Quoted Ben Samples
Judge Samples received his early education at Southern University Laboratory
School in Baton Rouge, LA. He began his college work at Southern University, but
received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas (1965).
He worked two years before entering law school. In the back of his mind, he always
said he wanted to be a lawyer To be a lawyer, he felt one had to be Perry Mason. He
learned the hard way that one did not have to be a great orator to be a lawyer He made
his decision at the juncture. He enrolled m St. Mary's University Law School in San
Antonio, Texas with a determination to accomplish his new determined goal.
He graduated and received his Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary's University
where he served as Law Clerk from 1967 to 1970 He was admitted to the State of
Texas Bar in 1970 He served as Staff Attorney Bexar County Legal Aid Society San
Antonio, Chairman of San Antonio Civil Service Commission. Two years with Juvenile
Referee Court. He was partner in two law firms for three years before establishing his
own in 1974 His private law practice began in 1970 through June, 1978 when he took
over his post as Municipal Court Judge.
He held memberships m San Antonio Bar Association, Texas American Bar
Association, Black Lawyers Association, Admission and Practice in the United States
District of Texas, Western District of Texas, United States, Board of Directors, Bexar
County Easter Seals, 1972, Chairman Trustee Board, St. James A.M.E. Church, San
Antonio, Texas, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Gamma Mu Legal Fraternity
Ben Samples is survived by his wife, Tobortha McDowell Samples and son,
Benjamin N Samples, II. He also is survived by his sisters-m-law, Vernice Seastrunk,
Jams Hadnott (William H. Hadnott, M.D), Dorothy Faye Houston, brother-m-law,
Daniel H. McDowell, Jr (Charles Etta) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and fam-
ily friends.
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[Funeral Program for Benjamin Norris Samples], pamphlet, March 12, 2009; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth226832/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting San Antonio Public Library.