Don Michael Sampson

Don Michael Sampson left this world for another journey on June 7, 2025. He had just turned 80.

He was born in Seattle, Washington. He graduated in 1963 from Olympia High School. In 1967, he graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in English and then went to Willamette University College of Law obtaining a JD in 1971.

He was an independent spirit who lived a varied and rich life. This is just a highlight of some of his accomplishments.

After law school he helped found the Humboldt Open Door Clinic in Arcata California, and became its director. The clinic administered medical and legal aid to a place that was once was then a very poor community. He hired another lawyer and two medical doctors and had about 40 people on the staff working for him. The clinic is still in existence today on a grand scale and still assisting people.

He then married his wife, and they lived in Guadalajara Mexico for a year and upon returning moved to Washington state where he taught English at Washington Correctional Center in Shelton, Washington.

Then moving to Los Angeles, he pursued his love of music and songwriting. He had made about 20 albums in Los Angeles and Nashville, all receiving critical acclaim. His last completed album was out of Milan, Italy “The Fall of The Western Sun.” He was currently working on an album with a producer/filmmaker in Brazil with South American musicians.

He is also known as a visual artist, (painting, sculpture and photography). He always had his camera with him. He published four books, two of which were of his photographs accompanied by his poetry. Twenty Museums have purchased his work. books and portfolios. The Getty, MOMA, National Gallery, Houston Museum of Fine Arts to name a few. Currently, he was working on his archives that were going to a University Museum/Art School.

He was a brilliant, generous and empathetic person who had the ability to connect with just about everyone. His music and art will continue to inspire and bring joy to all who knew him. He was always looking for the truth and the essence to be found in all things. Always looking for the light in the dark.

He is survived by the love of his life, wife Jean of 52 years.

THE LAST WORD by Don Michael Sampson

I know one day all things become part of the past

I know also that one word it will be my last

Will it be from my lips or from my pen

The last thought on the paper or a whisper to a friend

I hope character and spirit were the things I was made of

And that the last word was filled with light

And it spelled out Love.