Deputies Investigate Suspicious Death of Grady County Man

The Grady County Sheriff's Office is investigating what deputies are calling a suspicious death after a man died not far from his home.

Family members say Gene Sampson of Chickasha was burning brush right before he died. No one knows for sure what happened, but family members believe it was nothing more than a tragic accident. Investigators are not so sure.

At the Sampson home Thursday, friends and neighbors provided comfort to a grieving family as widow Dorothy Sampson recalled nearly 62 years of memories.

"It just goes to show that we need to be prepared to meet the Lord," Dorothy Sampson said.

10/4/12 Related Story: Man Burns To Death While Burning Trash In Grady County

Deputies say Gene was found with trauma on his body. Family members say he was found burnt with a gash on his head.

"He was burned pretty badly," Dorothy said "He tripped, I think, and fell over a log … He was thankful for the burn ban to be lifted. He was doing what he liked to do."

The Grady County Sheriff's Office wants to know if foul play was involved. Although, family members say they are confident the investigation is nothing more than standard procedure. In the meantime, the family is not focusing on Gene's death but rather the memories of someone they call a good Christian man.

"We had a blessed life," Dorothy said. "God gave us a good life together. We're just so thankful for so many blessings over the years."

Gene Sampson was 83 years old. His funeral service will be at the Calvary Baptist Church in Chickasha at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.

The Grady County Sheriff's Office is waiting for the Medical Examiner to determine a cause of death.