Sam was raised in Evans. He joined the United States Army on January 7, 1971, serving in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on December 14, 1973. Sam worked for Jerome Company for 29 years.
He was an avid racing fan and a diehard University of Oklahoma fan. He enjoyed bowling.
Sam is survived by his wife, Janet of 44 years; children, Wayne (Tracy) McKinney and Shelly McKinney; sister, Lynnette (Phillip) Calabrese; two grandchildren, Karlee and Taylor; numerous nieces and nephews and three fur grandbabies, Pepper, Shay and Sadie.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Sherman and Richard McKinney.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association both in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 West 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.