Sam was born on April 26, 1945 in Weiser, Idaho to LaVall Gwilliam and Mary Louise Barton Johnson. He graduated from Weiser High School in 1963. After High School he attended the University of Idaho, Boise State University and received his Master of Fine Arts at Utah State University. Sam enlisted in the Idaho National Guard in 1965 and retired after 23 years attaining the highest rank of Master Sargent. Sam worked as the Events Coordinator at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and later transitioned to Professor of Theatre Arts at the College of the Albemarle. Sam married Victoria Lynn Gaylor in 1985 in the Boise Idaho LDS Temple. They were happily married for 31 years. He was preceded in death by his parents LaVall Gwilliam Johnson and Mary Louise Barton Johnson. He is survived by his wife Victoria Lynn Johnson; his children as follows: Lisa Morris (Tom), Cory Gaylor (Christina), Sean Sterling (Amanda), Christopher Johnson (Traci), Aaron Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Cambree Johnson, Elijah Yallup, Elysia Wilson, and Ezra Johnson. He is also survived by his siblings: Cy Johnson, Valerie Chadwick, and Bob Johnson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. 