Sam Johnson. R.I.P.

[WAYNO]

I just discovered today, Sam Johnson has passed away.

An active contributor to this forum, a well known collector and trader in Washington State, and a well known and very knowledgeable collector of Ruger Firearms.

A am lucky that I've spent time with him at different display shows, and I have used his knowledge when buying old Rugers.

Sam will be missed.

WAYNO.

 

[Cholo]

Damn, another member passes away I remember chet15 telling me I needed to contact Sam because I had a consecutive # to one of his 7 1/2" OM FT's. It's a sad day...

 

[Heliman]

I heard this today at a local show in Vancouver, WA. I contacted Rick Verzal and WAYNO in attempt to get confirmation. I am very sad to hear that my suspicions have been confirmed. I considered Sam a friend and mentor and he will be sorely missed. RIP my friend.

Dave

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Sounds like a good guy. RIP Sam

 

[CGDustDevil]

Awww man...

I bought a Type I Transition BK36 from Sam some years ago... Still have it!

He was a good guy. RIP Sam...

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Sam passed away on memorial day at 9:45 pm. I had called and talked with his son at 8:00 that night. The family was at his side when he peacefully​ passed. For myself and Peggy it's been very tough. I wrote an memorial for the Washington Arm's Collectors magazine. When I get a chance I will try and post it here if people would like to see it.

 

[Heliman]

Sam passed away on memorial day at 9:45 pm. I had called and talked with his son at 8:00 that night. The family was at his side when he peacefully​ passed. For myself and Peggy it's been very tough. I wrote an memorial for the Washington Arm's Collectors magazine. When I get a chance I will try and post it here if people would like to see it.

Rick, please do post the memorial here. It would be greatly appreciated by many of his friends.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Pistolero]

RIP, Sam you will be missed.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Truly sad news!
RIP

Terry

 

[gunman42782]

RIP Sam

 

[powder smoke]

Sam sent me a Blue Book of gun values Years ago when I was asking questions.
A very nice man, Sad news I'll say a prayer for him. ps

 

[contender]

I never met him,,, but I always enjoyed his posts. He truly seemed like a great guy.

Rick, PLEASE do post the memorial here.

 

[45Colt_Man]

Sorry to hear this. Bought an old model .45Colt cylinder from him that was a perfect drop in fit.
He will be missed.

Dana

 

[rugerguy]

wow, sad news, he will be truly missed...RIP Sam

 

[radicalrod]

Well sad to hear this.....Sam and I did a few deals over the years....always a strait shooter....RR

 

[AJGUNNER]

Met him a couple of times. He drove to the local Cabela's one time to meet me when I had questions about a Bearcat they had in the library. He helped steer me clear of a bum deal and taught me a bunch. Sad news to hear.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Sad News. Tough to lose a Friend and Ruger Forum Stalwart....... RIP, Mr Johnson............

 

[OldRugerMan]

Very sad. Met him at the Washington Arms Collectors show a few years ago. He was a nice guy- very knowleable. He will be missed.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

RIP Sir..

 

[Kevin]

This is sad news. I didn't know him, but remember seeing his name here on various posts. It's nice to hear he would go out of his way to help other people.

 

[RPM Enterprises]

Sorry it took a few days but I was vacationing in Cabo Mexico fishing and internet is not that great. But this is what I wrote about Sam before I left for the Washington Arms Collectors news letter.



In Memoriam
Samuel (Sam) Johnson
CMS (RET) USAF
January 19, 1937 - May 29, 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Samuel L. Johnson.
Sam was born in Shelby, North Carolina on January 19th 1937 and grew up in Slater, South Carolina where he attended Slater Marietta school. As a young man, Sam joined the military and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.
Sam was a long-time member of Washington Arms Collectors (WAC) Badge number 43494 and was a frequent table holder.
Other organizations Sam belonged to was the Ruger Collectors Association (RCA), Red Eagle News Exchange (RENE) and was a National Rifle Association (NRA) Lifetime Endowment member.
Sam’s interests were collecting Ruger firearms such as early 3 screw single actions, which included early Blackhawks “Flattops”, Single Sixes, Old Army’s and Super Blackhawks. But Sam’s real passion was the Bearcat.
Sam had a phenomenal Bearcat collection that he loved to display at the annual “Rugermania” display event and the Big “WAC” October show. His knowledge of Ruger firearms along with other brand firearms was amazing. There was nothing Sam liked better than an interesting conversation about collecting Ruger’s with a good friend or a new friend. Sam could have an engaging conversation with anyone. Even the internet was no stranger to Sam. You could see him under the user name “Flattop357” on the Ruger Forum giving information to fellow collectors new and old posting pictures of magnificent Ruger firearms.
Sam also held a Federal Curios and Relics (C&R) license and contributed information to The Blue Book of Gun Values.
Sam enjoyed the outdoors, he liked hunting with old friends and reloading his own ammunition to target practice at the range. He was kind and gentle person who enjoyed life and loved to spend time with family members and friends.
Sam passed on Memorial Day May 29th 2017 at Madigan Army Medical Center at 9:45 pm. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, a son, a daughter, and two granddaughters.
Sam will be deeply missed but not forgotten.

 

[Heliman]

Thanks Rick...... Well done. Dave

 

[WAYNO]

Thank you, Rick.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Excellent, thanks for sharing that.

 

[contender]

Thanks Rick.
Shelby NC is less than 45 minutes drive from here & Slater SC is what I'd call "close" as well. (Especially when you consider how far away Washington is. Funny, I can't recall if Sam ever mentioned any of this to me in our PM's. Sometimes,,, folks have connections they don't have a clue about.
But the one connection that shines here is how much Sam enjoyed Ruger firearms,,, and a lot of us have the same connection.
I guess he & Bob are enjoying a lot of serious discussion somewhere,,,,! I wonder if they have bent Bill's ear too much?