Vonda Sam Dempsey

Vonda “Sam” Dempsey, 85 of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2022 while holding the hand of his devoted and loving wife, on the 34th anniversary of the death of their oldest son David who died in a car accident on Sunday, September 4, 1988.

Sam was born on June 10, 1937 to Flora Julia Blackburn and Sam Emmett Dempsey in Senath, Missouri. He was the sixth of eleven children born to Flora and Sam.

Sam was enlisted in the army from 1953-1957 and was stationed in Germany. When he returned from the army he married Hazel Copeland on January 25, 1958. Sam began working at the General Motors Leeds Plant in 1958. Sam and Hazel had four children, David, Vonda, Julia and Michael. Sam enjoyed working on cars, fishing, cooking on the grill, popping popcorn, and spending time with his family. After 30 years of service, he retired from the General Motors Leeds plant in 1988. Later, he enjoyed giving the grandchildren rides in a wagon pulled by his riding mower.

Sam is survived by his wife of 64 1/2 years, Hazel Dempsey, his children Vonda (Mark) Geary, Julia (Tom) Daily, and Michael Dempsey; eight grandchildren, Mindy (Mike) Horton, David Dempsey II, Nichole Cangelosi, Travis (Cherie) Geary, Krista (Brent) Sullivan, Leah (Danyal) Almatar, Claire Raulston, and Dustin Dempsey; twelve great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Joseph, Ethan, Alexis, Dominic, Giuliana, Wisam, Isaiah, Calliope, Elodie, Lilia and Elias; one great-great-granddaughter Hazel Jean Marie, due in October; two brothers Curtis and Doyle, three sisters Helen Estes, Barbara (Jim) Brice and Brenda Hillis, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son David, his brothers Cecil, Emmett, Devon, Wilburn, and Wallace, sister-in-law Polly, brothers-in-law Jack Hillis and Bill Estes.
The family wishes to thank the chaplain, doctors, nurses and staff at the VA Medical Center for the beautiful Honor Walk tribute as Sam left the hospital.

Services will be Thursday, September 8, at New Hope Baptist Church, 18000 Lexington Rd, Independence MO 64058. A visitation will be at 11:00 am, funeral 12:00 with the burial following at Mound Grove Cemetery, 1818 N River Blvd, Independence, MO 64050. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Hope Baptist Church or the Disabled American Veterans, https://www.dav.org/ways-to-give/.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements entrusted to Speaks Suburban Chapel, 816-373-3600).