Michael John Sams

Michael John Sams, 62, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026, at his home in Gardner, Kansas, cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. Mike was born on December 18, 1963, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of Steven and Janet Sams and the brother of Eric Sams and Jennifer Sams Ozbek.

Mike graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa on May 30, 1982. Mike became a journeyman meat cutter and worked in the West Des Moines Hy Vee before moving to Kansas around 1989 where he worked in the Overland Park, Kansas Hy Vee and at a Price Chopper in Overland Park. Mike was a very good meet cutter and often gave his mother tips on how to prepare various cuts of meat. Mike was also a good cook and would often take pictures of his meals and send them to her. He tried, unsuccessfully, to get her to buy an air fryer. He insisted it was the way to prepare good meals.

Mike had five passions: fishing, archery, golf, corvettes and snakes. He purchased a 1963 Corvette convertible while still in Iowa and had many adventures with that car over the years. He was a regular participant in a Corvette Forum and made many friends through that common interest. At one time he had a dream of competing in the Olympics in archery. He found a place to target practice and even entered an archery competition in Kansas City. Over the years Mike discovered special fishing spots in the Olathe area and he would sometimes share these secret spots with friends. He loved to get out and play golf and met lots of interesting people by being a single and getting paired up with strangers. Because of his height he finally purchased golf clubs that fit him which made the game easier and more fun. Then there are the snakes! From a very early age Mike had a fascination with snakes. As a young boy he would find garter snakes and bring them home as pets. As he got older he adopted bull snakes, then boas and then pythons. Fortunately, his mother learned to accept his “hobby” and supported his love for the critters. At the time of Mike’s death, he had a Ball Python named Max, which was rescued by an organization in Kansas City to be rehomed and loved by someone else.

Mike was brought up in the Lutheran church and was confirmed at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. He didn’t have a church affiliation in Gardner but he did have a faith in God that he talked about with his mother, during some of their many phone conversations.

Mike loved living in Kansas but missed his family in Iowa. He would come home to Iowa for special family events, high school reunions, and weddings of his friend’s children. It was always wonderful to have him around, even if only for short periods of time.

Mike is survived by his mother, Janet (Paul) Kramme, brother Eric (Saffin) Sams and sister Jennifer (Vrej) Ozbek; nephews Jordan (Stephanie) Sams, Dylan Sams and Devin Sams, his niece Peyton Ozbek; great nephews Jace Sams and Eli Sams; uncles Phillip (Mary) Sams and John Gersib; and cousins Megan Gersib and Cathleen Edgington. Mike also is survived by his step brothers, Keith (Lisa) Kramme and Jon (Jennifer) Kramme, their children, and his step sister Wendy’s three girls.

He was preceded in death by his father Steven Sams, sister in law Carol Sams and step-sister Wendy Kramme Terrell.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday May 23, 2026 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 12th and Grand in West Des Moines, Iowa followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. with lunch immediately following. A private burial service with the family will take place following the lunch, at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Mark Community Fridge or your favorite charity in Mike’s name.

Special thanks to the people at Penwell Gabel funeral home in Olathe, Kansas for taking care of Mike after his death. And many, many thanks to Mike’s good friend, Bob Olvera, for his unwavering support and friendship to Mike over the years and for his guidance to Mike’s family during this difficult time.