Funeral Services for Harold Clinton Samuels Sr. of x are 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at Riverwood Family Funeral Services with a burial service following in Rose Hill Jewish Cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, from 11 a.m. until time of service at Riverwood Family Funeral Services.

Mr. Samuels passed away on Oct. 3, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Harry and Pauline Abrams Samuels, was born Oct. 13, 1923, in Topeka, Kansas. The family moved to Brookhaven, home of Pauline Abrams Samuels’ family, in 1924. Mr. Samuels graduated from Brookhaven High School and attended Mississippi State for two years before enlisting in the U. S. Navy in December 1942. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Area until August 1946. Afterwards, he attended LSU, earning a Bachelor of Art degree with a major in accounting.

Upon Mr. Samuels’ return to Brookhaven in 1952, he purchased The Fashion Shop. He and his wife, Betty Claire, operated the business until 1977, at which time he sold the business in order to devote full time to his tenure as Mayor of Brookhaven. He served in this capacity until 1985. In prior years he served as a city alderman (1965-1969).

Mr. Samuels was also a commercial real estate developer. He was kind and helpful to his tenants and loved dealing with people in general. His generosity and sincere caring for those people whose lives he touched was evident by the many stories, which have been related to his family over the years. Mr. Samuels was a gentleman in every sense of the word with sincere consideration and respect for all those whom he revered as family and friends. He treated all those he knew with respect, regardless of their station in life.

Mr. Samuels was an active member in the B’nai Shalom Temple, serving many years as president and treasurer. Active and a leader in the community, which he truly loved, Mr. Samuels served as a past president and vice-president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (receiving the Soap Box Award in 1983 for outstanding achievements) and past president and treasurer of Brookhaven Beautiful, which he helped organize in 1963. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 12. He was instrumental in obtaining from the railroad the property now utilized for parking for the businesses in that area.

Masonry was an important and integral part of Harold’s life. He was a member of the Brookhaven Grand Lodge of Mississippi F. & A. M. until his demise, serving as Grand Master in 1963, and also serving as treasurer from 1973, until 2011. He also served many years on the advisory board of DeMolay and Order of the Rainbow Girls and as a board member and chairman of the Lincoln County Chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as the Civil Defense Council Director. Perhaps one of his greatest civic satisfactions was derived from serving for 30 years as grand marshall of the Brookhaven Annual Christmas Parade. He also served as King of the Krewe of Ceres.

Survivors are his beloved wife of 61 years, Betty Claire; his brother, Donald Bruce Samuels; his devoted, loving and caring children and grandchildren: two sons, Harold “Hal” C. Samuels Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas, Joe “Joey” Samuels and his wife, Betsy, of Jackson and a daughter, Ann Samuels of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Claire Joanne Geier and her husband, Gerry, Harold C. “Clint” Samuels III, Scott Aaron Samuels and his wife, Morgan, Melissa Ann Samuels. Two great-granddaughters, Katherine “Kate” Anne Samuels and Caroline Claire Samuels, also survive him.

The family would like to thank Mr. Samuels’ devoted attendants, who cared for him during his illness, Dr. Ray Montalvo and Hospice Compassus for their professional and compassionate care. All were such a comfort to Harold and the family. We are indeed grateful to each and every one of those who surrounded us with their caring and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to Lincoln County Genealogical Society or Camp Dream Street (nondenominational camping program for children with physical disabilities), c/o Birmingham Jewish Foundation, P.O. Box 130219, Birmingham, AL 35213 or to the charity of one’s choice.

If you would like to leave a comment to the Samuels Family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com.