Samuel Wayne Christensen September 8, 1934 ~ September 18, 2025

Samuel Wayne Christensen was born on September 8, 1934 in Monticello, UT to Ray and Olive Melissa Jarvis Christensen. He passed away at home in Monticello on September 18, 2025 surrounded by family.
Sam was the eighth of 13 children. He grew up in Monticello. He played basketball in high school and would support high school sports throughout his life. He joined the Marines in 1951. He trained at Camp Pendleton in California then served in Korea. He sent home his $2 bills to his family.
Sam married Jeanette Walker Christensen on October 13, 1955. They were later sealed in the Mesa Temple on March 13, 1963. They made their first home in Monticello.
They later worked at several trading posts in Arizona including Indian Wells, The Gap and Jeddito. They stayed for the longest at Chilchinbeto. Sam owned and operated Bitahochee, Tohatchi and Chilchinbeto Trading Posts.
He spoke Navajo and loved working in the stores. He was very smart and could still tell you the prices of wool and mohair 60 years later. The family moved back to Monticello in 1971 but Sam continued to travel back and forth to work in the stores.
Sam and Jeanette had six children. It seemed when vacations came around it was a “truck drivers” holiday since he drove all week and then would drive for vacation.
He took his family to Canada, Old Mexico, California (including Sea World, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm) and some of the Church Historic sites.
He and Jeanette also traveled to Branson, Denver, Little Rock and Las Vegas. Their traveling companions often included brothers and sisters. They always seemed to have a great time.
Sam followed all of his kids around for sports. He often cheered the loudest. He also enjoyed music concerts, recitals, musicals and plays to support his kids.
Fall found him hauling wood, camping and hunting. Hunting was a challenge with four daughters and one son, but it was great family time. He enjoyed the outdoors and passed that on to his family. “Jeeping” up the mountain or out in Canyonlands was not only a family activity but also a great neighbor outing.
He was often found at the grill no matter what family or neighborhood activity was happening. He had a huge grill he hauled all over. Because he was involved with such big activities, he could estimate how much food was needed for any size crowd.
He took down and put up so many trampolines. He dug and re-dug holes for them. He built, rebuilt and repaired swing sets, bicycles, motorcycles, roller skates, ice skates, skis, skate boards and anything else with a tire, a motor or a need.
He set up and took down quilting frames, put quilts on and turned them too many times to count. He didn’t play an instrument but he hauled the piano around as well as the accordion wherever Jeanette wanted to play. He took great pride in her abilities.
When he “retired” from the trading posts, he had several jobs. He worked at Monticello Merc, Blue Mountain Meats and Monticello High School. He enjoyed each new challenge and worked hard. He retired again after 10 years of being Head Custodian at the High School.
He drove the truck for Blue Mountain Meats which took him back to familiar territory in the 4-Corners area and the Navajo Reservation. He was able to take his grandsons with him on these road trips and make great memories
Sam loved the gospel and served throughout his life. He served as Branch President in Chilchinbeto in a small chapterhouse. He served in the Branch Presidency at the jail and really enjoyed it. He served in the Elder’s Quorum and High Priests.
He enjoyed visiting with people and made friends from home teaching that lasted years.
He was quite surprised when he discovered he was the oldest man in his ward. He loved working at the temple.
He would talk about all the people he met and how it really was a small world. Some of his favorite places to “catch up” with people were at the Post Office and the grocery store.
He is survived by his children Shelli Hugentobler, Vicki (Karlton) Moss, Scott (Jill) Christensen, Jill (Toby) Pearson, 20 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren and two sisters.
He is preceded in death by his wife Jeanette Walker, daughters Denise and Gina, grandson Travis Wayne Hugentobler, son-in-law Kyle Allen Slack, daughter-in-law Lisa Stewart Christensen, his parents, seven brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services begin at noon on Saturday October 4 at the Monticello Stake Center. Viewing from 9:30 to 11:30. Interment following at the Monticello City Cemetery