Dr. C.L.M. (Clem) Samson

Dr. Clarence Lofton Martin Samson, 90, passed away on Friday evening, January 14, 2011, at Becker-Shoop Center in Racine, WI. Dr. Samson was born on March 4, 1920, in Crowley, LA, to Clement Joseph and Anna Martin Samson.

After graduating from Crowley High School in 1937, Dr. Samson received a B.S. degree from Louisiana State University in 1940 and an M.D. degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1943. While at Louisiana State University, Dr. Samson was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order social fraternity and Phi Chi medical fraternity. Dr. Samson enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II in 1942 while still a medical student, and was commissioned at his graduation in 1943. Dr. Samson served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, stationed on Marcus Island and Orote, Guam.

After being discharged from the Navy, Dr. Samson completed his residency and entered general practice before enrolling in the Ophthalmology Graduate Program at the School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Samson took a residency in Ophthalmology at Tulane University School of Medicine and The Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Samson passed his boards in Ophthalmology in 1956 and joined the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Dr. Samson entered private practice in 1955 and practiced Ophthalmology until his retirement in 2000.

Dr. Samson was a member of the Louisiana-Mississippi Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. He was on the Clinical Faculty of the Ophthalmology Department of Tulane University School of Medicine from 1955 to 1990 and served as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology from 1975 to 1990. Dr. Samson joined the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology and served as its president in 1968 and 1969. He also served as the President of the Staff and the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Samson was also a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Orleans Parish Medical Society, the Jefferson Parish Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Eye Bank, the L'Union Francaise French School, and the Rotary Club of New Orleans. Dr. Samson was married to Joan Louise Bennett on April 16, 1955, in Racine, WI, and they resided in New Orleans.

Dr. Samson is survived by his two daughters, Anne "T'Anne" Samson of New Orleans and Andree Samson of New Orleans; and his three grandchildren, Ashley Testerman of New Orleans, Eric Testerman of Chicago, and Nicholas Walsh of New Orleans. He is also survived by one niece, Betty Davis of Maryland, two nephews, Frank Milliken of Dallas, Texas, and Donald Milliken of Lafayette, Louisiana; and numerous grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. Private funeral services will be held in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer's Association have been suggested by his family.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888