GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kenneth Gray Sampson, 76, of Gainesville, Fla., passed away in his sleep on Monday, Nov. 26, at a local hospital due to kidney failure.

He was born on Feb 28, 1931, in South Paris, the son of Kenneth and Barbara Sampson.

He attended school in Harrison, and graduated from Paris High School in 1949. He joined the Navy in 1949, and played in and conducted the Navy band on the USS New Jersey, in Korea. He joined the Air Force “Airmen of Note” Band from 1957 to 1961. He played in big bands in Las Vegas for shows including Sinatra, Andy Williams, Ann Margaret, Elvis and many more, as well as going on the road with the Stan Kenton Band. He returned home to Maine in 1981, and played piano at the Muddy Rudder in Wiscasset for 22 years before retiring to Gainesville, Fla.

He is survived by his two children, Matthew and his wife, Leisa, of Wiscasset and Holly Owen and her husband, Michael, of Gainesville, Fla.; brother, Franklyn (Sam) Sampson and wife, Helen, of Waterford; sister, Barbara Matolay and husband, Nils, of Pensecola, Fla.; and six grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Jane.