Sam Johnston of Ardmore, Oklahoma (formerly of Hodgen, Oklahoma) was born October, 6 1928 in Hodgen, Oklahoma to Earl Johnston and Grace (Kelly) Johnston and passed away January 15, 2017 in Ardmore, Oklahoma at the age of 88.


He is survived by:


His wife:
Leora Homan Johnston


One sister in law:
Lois Johnston


Several nieces, nephews and cousins


A special friend and health care provider:
Dianne, who was with him until the end


A host of friends


He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joan; one brother, Edwin Johnston and one sister, Anna Lee Kopacka. Sam was a lifelong resident of Hodgen, Oklahoma and an active member of the Hodgen United Methodist Church as long as his health permitted. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Agriculture. Upon graduation he moved to California where he worked in the Agriculture and Timber industry. He was instrumental in the invention of using explosives for the removal of tree tops instead of using men and endangering their lives. While working in California he met and married the love of his life Joan Baer. Sam then moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma where he owned a plastics company. His company made the console control knobs for the first Gemini space shuttle that is now on display in the Aeronautics Space Center of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. He also worked for the Department of Corrections at McAlester, Oklahoma and Hodgen, Oklahoma. While working as warden at Oklahoma State Penitentiary, he was taken hostage during the July 1973 riots where he was held for three days and nights by inmates. Sam was a crucial factor in the release of other hostages and negotiations that ended the riot on August 4, 1973. He was a founding member of the Hodgen Fire Department and head of the Hodgen Fire Department Board of Directors. He was a poultry producer and cattle rancher until he retired and moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma. Sam also served on Governors Board of Agriculture for Oklahoma and in Washington D.C. He was a member of the McAlester Scottish Rite.


Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2017 at Hodgen United Methodist Church with Dr. William Grice officiating. Burial will be at Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma with Masonic Rights and Oklahoma Department of Corrections Honor Guard.


Pall Bearers will be: Bobby Dean Johnston, Ed Johnston, Kevin Poor, Jim Lankford Buddy Kelly, Bob Strong, and Jon Mead.


Viewing will be noon until 8:30 p.m., Tuesday; 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. until noon on Friday.


The family will be visiting with friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.