DOVER - Ulysses G. Sammons of Dover passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018, at home.
Mr. Sammons was born Oct. 3rd, 1924 in Cheswold, son of the late Perry T. Sammons and Bertha E. Dean. He lived in Delaware his whole life.
Mr. Sammons ran "Sammons Painting," the family business, for many years, until he passed it on to his sons. He loved to paint, and could be found in his coveralls, painting hat, and boots even until his last days. He never really retired, and at age 90, was still going out on the job with the boys!
He was a longtime member of Forest Grove Seventh Day Adventist Church, Dover, where he was a deacon for many years.
Mr. Sammons enjoyed gospel and country music, and he loved watching western films, with cowboy actors like John Wayne. He was early to rise for most of his life. It was not unusual for him to be out the door as early as 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning to go meet his buddies for coffee and breakfast. He was a creative wordsmith; quick with a joke or witty comment that would catch you off-guard.
Mr. Sammons built his house with his own hands from the ground up. He learned how to do all the work himself and raised his family of nine in that house. Most of his children were also born there. He was a talented and hard working man his whole life.
Ulysses greatly enjoyed spending winters with his wife, Delores, in Avon Park, Fla. for 18 years. He would go to the Florida Strawberry Festival, Pioneer Days, and many Fla. parks during the warm winter months. He also found time to paint and keep himself busy doing odd jobs here and there for friends and family in Fla.
His late wife Delores was his world. He talked about how much he missed her everyday since her passing in 2007. He told countless, entertaining stories about all their travels, both domestic and abroad. They visited Spain, Hawaii, and Rio De Janeiro, as well as many states across the country. He longed for the second coming of Jesus Christ so that he could someday see her again in heaven.
Mr. Sammons was preceded in death by his wife, Delores E. Sammons; his brothers and sisters, Albert Sammons, Edith Sammons Morris, William (Bill) Sammons, Mildred Sammons, and Bertha Sammons; a son-in-law, Larry Prelog; three grandsons, Jonathan Sammons, "Hoss" Sammons, and Andrew Johnson; and a great-grandson, "Matty" Wade Sammons
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ulysses E. and Carol Sammons, his son, Orville A. Sammons and Susie Nickerson, all of Dover; five daughters and sons-in-law, Sharron L. and Austin Carney of Dover, Vanessa G. and Peter Roe of Whittier, Calif., Kathy R. and William Usilton of Berrien Springs, Mich., Alverta J. and Alaric Johnson of Topsham, Maine, and Tammy D. and Tim Jones of Niles, Mich.; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition, he is survived by his best friends, Alverta and Dan Durham; his cousin-in-law, Juanita and her husband Lawrence Freeman; and many, many other friends.