Samuel Clark Johnson passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Newark, Delaware, on March 10, 2016, of complications from post polio syndrome.
Sam was born in Augusta on Aug. 8, 1927, to Emma Margaret (Clark) and John Pierce Johnson. A ham radio enthusiast growing up, Sam attended Mars Hill college for a semester, then joined the U.S. Navy in WWII and served as a radio operator and air traffic controller in Hawaii. After discharge, he graduated from Memphis State College with a degree in psychology, also working as a deejay at a local radio station.
He was an ordained Baptist minister for a short time, then began flying small airplanes in Memphis, first crop-dusting and then flying executives of the newly established Holiday Inn to scout hotel sites.
In July, 1953, Sam contracted polio and spent a lengthy amount of time in the hospital. After a long rehabilitation, he returned to flying, shedding his foot brace to fly for more than 30 years as a commercial airline pilot for Capitol International Airways (later changed to Capitol Air). His work with Capitol took him, his former wife Virginia, and his growing family to Texas, Florida and Delaware, before he eventually rounded out his career overseas, mostly in Spain. It also allowed him to bring many artifacts back home from his travels over the years: African spears and masks, an Austrian clock, a Japanese screen, an Egyptian camel saddle and a pachinko machine, as well as many others, much to the delight of his daughters.
Sam loved flying and photography, and was dedicated to exploring the world of psychology and spirituality. He inspired his daughters by believing in them and assuring them frequently that they could do anything if they truly committed themselves to working toward the goal.
About 20 years ago, after many years away, Sam moved back to Georgia and settled in the Lakemont area with his now deceased wife, Rita Wolfe. He loved the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and the people. Making friends wherever he went, he was a true Southern gentleman and made everyone feel special.
Sam was survived by his wife of seven years, Laura Iris Johnson, of Lakemont, who then passed away Dec. 14, 2016.
He is survived by his sisters, Betty Blissit, (Augusta), twins Anne Martin (Greenville, South Carolina), and Carol Henderson (Memphis, Tennessee), his first wife and mother of his daughters Virginia Johnson (Newark), his five daughters, Merrie Elisens (Norman, Oklahoma), Lori Gorsch (Wasilla, Alaska), Lyn Peck (Kent, Washington), Valerie Jones (Newark) and Lisa Ettinger (Camden, Maine), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sam lived a full life, traveled all over the world, and impacted many people’s lives. He will be greatly missed.
The Clayton Tribune, April 6, 2017