Boys’ basketball: Fairfax mourns death of loyal time-keeper ‘Sam’

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James Samson, known as ‘Sam’ at Fairfax High School during his more than 25 years of service working in youth services and running the shot clock during basketball games, died Wednesday after complications from heart bypass surgery last month, Coach Harvey Kitani said.

He was 62.

‘The guy came to school with his hard hat every day,’ Kitani said. ‘He was a dedicated, loyal person. Above all, he had a heart of gold.’

He is survived by his two sisters. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at Mount Sinai in Simi Valley.

-- Eric Sondheimer