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W.E. Sandy Sanford

1933 ∼ 2010

W.E. Sandy Sanford
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W.E. "Sandy" Sanford, age 77, and life long resident of Orange, Texas, died on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, surrounded in love, by his family and friends.

Sandy was born on February 9, 1933, in East Mayfield, Texas. His parents were Nulon and Marie Sanford. He was married to Virginia McDonald Sanford, his high school sweetheart, for 54 years. He attended Lutcher Stark High School, and was a graduate of Lamar University. Sandy was retired from Sandoz Corporation where he served as the Safety and Environmental Director.

Sandy was a life long member of First United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas, and was involved in many capacities. Early in his marriage, he and his wife served as youth sponsors, and his joy for mentoring and teaching youth remained throughout his life. Sandy served as a lay leader for the church many times, and was a knowledgeable bible instructor. Out of love for his church, he initiated the praise and worship service, and was the co-founder of the Golden Triangle Emmaus Community.

Sandy was very active in the Orange County community. As a young man he served as a Red Cross swim instructor, and Commissioner of the Orange County Little League. He was a board member for the Salvation Army, and a long time member of the Lions Club. He was a recent and devoted volunteer for Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

Sandy was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and three brothers. He will be reunited in heaven with his two beloved sons, Barton and Christopher.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, and two daughters, Shelley Davis of Key West, Florida, and Tracey Wild of Nacogdoches, Texas, two sons-in-law, John Davis, and Tom Wild, and four grandchildren, Gabriel Sanford Reddoch, John Zachary Davis, Alexandra Wild, and Thomas "Trey" Wild.

The funeral will be held at the First United Methodist Church under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2010. Officiating will be Tom Stephenson with First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas or to the Methodist Hospital Kidney Transplant Center in Houston, Texas at 832-667-5816.

Condolences

Anonymous March 10, 2010
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with each of you. Wish we could have made it down to Texas. We will miss you Uncle Sandy! - Steve and Stacey Wood##imported-begin##Steve and Stacey Wood##imported-end##
Anonymous March 5, 2010
Many prayers were with you from the Bowman, Acosta, LeBlanc, Harris,Jones, Landry, and Sanford families. Though we may not have been there in person due to extreme circumstances, we were there in spirit in rememberance of Uncle Sandy.Virginia, Shelley and##imported-begin##Dr. Patricia Acosta Harris##imported-end##
Anonymous March 4, 2010
Dear Virginia, It has been an honor and a privilege to have know Sandy during the years. Sandy was one of the first people we met when we visited this church. He told us that our Christopher was the first Christopher to be in the church nursery since y##imported-begin##Walter and Susie Riedel##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
So sorry about Sandy. He was a consistently fine Christian person throughout his life. The world will miss him, but heaven will be enriched by his presence. We send our love to you, Virginia.##imported-begin##Bob & Bobbie Jean Stalnaker##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
It has been my honor an priviledge to have known this sweet man. His love for God, his family and people was evident in the life he led. His heart was genuine. I rejoice in knowing that he is with our Father singing and dancing. I will miss his witt and##imported-begin##Cindy Deranger##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
We send our deepest sympathy to the family of Sandy.Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. We have many memories of Sandy that we will treasure. He was a great man and a man of God. With our love, Larry and Norm##imported-begin##Larry and Norma Cannon##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
So many wonderful memories from my childhood in the Methodist Church and you and your family are a huge part of that. Mrs. Mac, you and Sandy meant so much to all of us and I'm thinking of you in your loss. Fondly, Lanie##imported-begin##Lanie Stephenson Covey##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
Virginia, Shelley, and Tracey, I was so sad to hear about Sandy. My prayers and thoughts are with each of you. Sandy was one of the kindest men that I have ever met.##imported-begin##Angela Thomas Rivero##imported-end##
Anonymous March 3, 2010
Ladies, my heart is so sad to hear the news of Mr. Sandy. Know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I have so many wonderful memories of the godd ole County Squire days. As hard as it is to let go, we know he is very happy and will be waiting o##imported-begin##Anita Kelly Dyson##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia, You and Sandy were always so generous to the youth of the church with your love and time. Sandy will be missed by so many...but,will continue to share a place in my heart with you. With heart felt sympathy, Beth Littlejohn Martell##imported-begin##Beth Martell##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Dear Virginia and family, I was so sad to hear of Sandy's passing but then I thought no I should be rejoicing for I know where he is and the reward he is receiving for his faithful labors on behalf of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that you ##imported-begin##Grace Wathen##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Dear Virginia and family, Please accept our condolences on the loss of a wonderful man, husband and father. Sandy was an inspiration to all. Love, Howard and Joan##imported-begin##Howard and Joan Haddock##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia, We will miss him, does not express our feeling of lost, but we are joyful for him, does touch some of the feeling at this time. I am proud to call Sandy my friend, my bible instructor, life instuctor and my fellow mullet. Peace to You and You##imported-begin##Toney & Suzanne Miller##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia our thoughts and prayers are with yours.##imported-begin##Janet and James Fontenot##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.I worked with Sandy at Sandoz and he was a great guy.##imported-begin##RUBY WYCOFF##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
What can you say about Sandy that properly reveals the way he touched people's lives? Those of us who knew him and his wonderful wife,Virginia, know that words are not adequate. What better tribute, so God speed to Jesus, Sandy, and to Virginia, peace, ##imported-begin##Carolyn Dixon ##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia, we are so sorry to hear about Sandy. He was such a neat man and we loved the times we spent with you both in Emmaus. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you and your family.##imported-begin##Craig, Leslie, Lauren, & Sarah Pember##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia, We are so sad and sorry to hear about Sandy. Both of you were very special to all of the Methodist youth. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Carolyn Dulaney Boyd and David Boyd##imported-begin##Carolyn Boyd##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
I love you, you mullett. I'm doing my best to ensure I'm the man you'd want me to be. I'm trying to not let it get the best of me because I know you are in a better place. As I look at Lily I see you through her eyes. I thank God for giving me such an ama##imported-begin##Gabriel Reddoch##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Virginia, you grieve, yes, but rejoice in the knowledge that your loved one is well and at peace. Please know that my heart hurts for you. God's grace is sufficient. With love, in Christ - Dody Breaux##imported-begin##Dody Breaux##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Mrs Virginia, my family and I want to express our deepest condolences to you and your family at the loss of your beloved Sandy. We will never forget the kindness you and your daughter, Tracey, extended to us during our time together in the St Elizabeth wa##imported-begin##Lynn McCoy##imported-end##
Anonymous March 2, 2010
Sandy, To the best 2nd daddy a girl could ever ask for. Thanks for giving me the best friend I could ever imagine having. I love you so much, and I'm so happy to have had your love and influence in my life since kindergarten. I have so many treasured memo##imported-begin##suzanne Ogden##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Our deepest love, condolences, prayers and thoughts are with all of you. We will miss Uncle Sandy so much - he truly was an angel walking on the face of this earth and meant more to us than you will know. We love you all.##imported-begin##Sherri and Robb Swearingen##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
To Virginia, Tracey and Shelley - Your Dad was truly a man of God and he will be greatly missed. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God's Blessings on each of you... Debra Reasonover##imported-begin##Debra Reasonover##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
May God surround you with angels of peace and comfort during this time of grief and sorrow. De Colores!##imported-begin##Angela & Ray Baker##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Sandy for a few years at Sandoz. I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts. Blessings, Faye##imported-begin##Faye Hippler Bowers##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Virginia- Mary Kate sent me the news of Sandy's death. I was so glad you mentioned the mentoring that you both did with our youth group. Can remember the MYF meetings at your Mom's house. My thoughts are with you and your daughters Fondly, Suzanne##imported-begin##Suzanne Smaihall Cornelius##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
We're just so sorry and so sad. Sandy was such a dear friend to our family. We cherish his memory and are thankful for his presence in our lives. You and your family are in our prayers Virginia.##imported-begin##Thomas & Scottie McGraw##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Virginia, I always loved and respected you and Sandy, because you two were always so loving to the youth at First Methodist. I know you will miss sweet Sandy. My prayers are with you. Love, Carrie Pat Joiner Woliver##imported-begin##Carrie Pat Woliver##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Sandy's passing. He was just one of those people you loved running into because he always had a smile and something positive to say. I pray for peace and comfort for all his loved ones. Brenda, Orange Savings Bank##imported-begin##Brenda Foreman##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Sandy truly led me to a personal relationship with Christ in ways that even he never knew. A friend, neighbor, and fellow Methodist, Sandy convinced me to attend the Walk to Emmaus in 1993, the first step on my spiritual journey as an adult. Far too many##imported-begin##Steve Keene##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Sandy was a friend and inspiration to all of us. He was the only person I've ever heard use the word mullet as a term of endearment! He leaves a legacy of love, smiles and lives that were changed in the name of Jesus. Virginia, our prayers are with you##imported-begin##Malcolm Monroe##imported-end##
Anonymous March 1, 2010
Sandy was a special person. His attitude, deeds and ways displayed the love of Christ and all things good. We will miss his easy ways and warm greetings but know that he is now at peace.##imported-begin##Darby & Doris BYrd##imported-end##