John was born November 11, 1943, veterans day, so his birthday is always a holiday. After graduating from AHS he did some work traveling with Mike Herron for a while, then he joined the Air Force for 4 years. After he spent his last 13 months in Korea he finally came home to his family. He worked all day digging ditches and took a full course load at night in Marietta at Southern Tech on the VA bill. Several years later he worked his way up from digging ditches to the office ,and later became the vice president of T&B Scottdale Contractors. 

John left us on March 25, 1991 after a 4 year battle with ALS. He was 47 years old. John left wife Gail of the class of 1965 and 5 children all graduates of AHS. The bridge over Lake Avondale was later rebuilt by his father,brothers,and grown sons. On the front of the bridge is his signature taken from shop drawings he checked. There is also a monument to John on the clubhouse side of the bridge. John's 2 sons helped their grandfather build the floating Christmas tree on the lake and take responsibility for putting it in the lake and taking it out every year. I think you can say all our hearts are in Avondale. 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Samford still live in the house on Stratford where John and his siblings grew up.  The Samfords are still active an Avondale First Baptist.  They would probably love to hear from some of John's old friends!