Sam died August 9, 2016, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He grew up in Nampa, Idaho, where he graduated from high school. Sam graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in wildlife management. He worked his summers as a smokejumper at Missoula where he jumped the 1957 and'58 seasons. Gary spent his career working for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

After retirement he continued to work on projects for Fish and Game and land management, especially in the Craig Mountain Area.