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As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

As the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1986 to 1987, he was the first recipient of that organization's President's Award. At the turn of the 21st century, ''The Shreveport Times''' named Sampite among its "Top 100 Influential People in Northwest Louisiana." In 2000, he was inducted into the Northwestern State University Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the highest designation for alumni.<ref name=obit/> In 2002, he was named to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php|title=Political Hall of Fame|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​

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Mayor Sampite' was profiled in ''The Oxford American'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the [[American Legion]], the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/> ​

Mayor Sampite' was profiled in ''The Oxford American'' literary [[magazine]] in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe." He received numerous other honors, including "Man of the Year" awards from the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]], Natchitoches Junior Chamber International, and the Louisiana Parks and Recreation Association. He was a member of the American Legion, the Founders of Natchitoches, and the [[Roman Catholic]] men's organization, the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=obit/> ​

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A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in ta runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'.  Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​'

A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Sampite' did not seek reelection to a sixth term in the municipal election held in the spring of 2000. Two Democrats competed in ta runoff election held on April 15 for the right to succeed Sampite'.  Then city council member at-large and current mayor, Wayne McCullen, narrowly defeated John Winston, 3,votes (50.3 percent) to 2,962 (49.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/04152000/04152000_35.html|title=Natchitoches Parish election results, April 15, 2000|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 20, 2012}}</ref>​'