Samuel Wentworth Johnson, Jr.

Sam was born on May 29th, 1942 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Samuel Johnson, Sr., and Dorothy Aughenbaugh. After graduating high school, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps, an accomplishment of which he was extremely proud throughout his life. Until the very end, Sam frequently wore USMC hats and shirts, and was always carrying his USMC bag.

After his service, he entered Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa where he graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Sam married Carolyn Rebecca Crowder on May 27th, 1972 in South Hill, Virginia. Sam was a visionary with a knack for sales and built his company Cavalier Inks and Coating from the ground up, managing the operations for over fifty years. In addition to his business, he enjoyed spending time at his second home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina and his favorite local hangout, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. In both places, he met many people who became lifelong friends that were very important to him.

Nearly everyone who knew Sam agrees he was one of a kind. His persistence and sometimes stubborn nature helped him achieve many successes in life, and his wicked sense of humor and quick wit got him out of more than a few jams. For better or for worse, once you met Sam Johnson, you did not forget him.

He is survived by his two daughters, Amy Sluss and her husband James, of Winchester, Virginia and Catherine Hassan and her husband Omar of Richmond, Virginia; his former wife Carolyn Johnson; two grandchildren, Madeline and Jay Sluss; his sisters Roxanne Rowen and her husband Don of Lighthouse Point, Florida, Kimberlee Crookshanks of Midlothian, Virginia and her former husband Bryson, his brother Rodney Shade and his wife Pat of Midlothian, Virginia; a close cousin Steve Johnson and his wife Abigail of San Fransisco, California; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Wentworth Johnson Sr. and Dorothy Aughenbaugh.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a foundation dedicated to supporting and honoring our veterans, first responders, defenders and their families. www.garysinesefoundation.org