Sam was born to Samuel Alvin King and Katherine Rosina Jones. The story he tells is that he was born in the family home on the kitchen table. Sam spent his childhood mostly in a Children's Home as well as with various relatives. When he was 17, he joined the Marines where he served for 8 years before being honorably discharged. While in the Marines, he met a guy named Rex Rodgers, who was from Blackfoot, ID. Rex took Sam home when they had a leave and it was there that he met Rex's sister, Louise Rodgers. Sam and Louise were married in 1956 and to this union eight children were born: Kathy, Russell, Sammy, Peggy, Billy, Kevin, Steven and David. Sam and Louise must have been busy as they had these eight kids in a 10-year period of time. Sam and Louise later divorced. Sam spent the next several years fulfilling his wandering spirit. He lived in Los Angeles, CA for about 10 years and then returned to Blackfoot for the remainder of his life. Sam married Mary Staley in 1983. They were married for 20 years when Mary passed away on June 21, 2002.
Sam and Ruth Nelson were married in 2005, and Ruth passed away in 2015. Sam worked at The Senior Citizen's Center, and later at Bingham County Courthouse as a maintenance worker. He made so many friends at the courthouse and took a lot of pride in taking care of the building. Sometime around 1990, Sam completed locksmith training and would soon start his business, King Locksmith. Sam loved helping people get into their cars or homes and valued relationships made in the business. Upon his retirement, his son Samuel purchased and took over the business. King Locksmith is still operated by Samuel today. Sam's hobbies were catching snakes, watching tv, listening to old country music, fishing and camping, and going to the fair. He loved the fair! He owned some property near the fairgrounds and for several years, he opened his yard to fair parking. He made many more friends and also worked at the gate at the fair. Survivors included: brothers Donald King, Terrence King, and Paul King; sisters Jane Olsen and Gwladys Hudnell; his children, Kathy (Will) McBride, Sammy (Michelle) King, Peggy (Jeff Evans) Shipman, Billy King, Kevin (Diane) King, Steven King and David King; 31 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren; preceded by brothers John King, Merle Jackson, George LeRoy King and son Russell Richard King. Funeral services held Friday, May 21st at Hawker Funeral Home.