George "Sandy" I. Sandford Jr.

On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, George Irving Sandford, Jr. passed away at his home at the age of 73. Known to his friends, family, neighbors, and just about everyone he met as “Sandy”, he was a man quick to offer a friendly ‘Hello’ and even quicker to brag about never owning a cell phone.

Sandy was born in North Kansas City (the good part, in Missouri) in 1947 to George (Sr.) and Catherine Sandford. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he skipped past all the boring details about where he went to college (CU Denver) and the career from which he retired after 35 years of service (accounting). Instead, he wanted to focus on his adventures over the years. The time he spent in the Orkney Islands in Scotland salvage diving amongst over 100 scuttled German warships. Or the time when he charmed his way into working on a commercial dock in Los Angeles despite not knowing how to tie a bowline, half-hitch, or any other type of knot.

Or when he worked as a plumber in Alaska, sharing a cabin with his brother, Robert, whom he helped to run a leather tannery. He took a great deal of pride in the experiences that made him the man he was, and very much enjoyed that his two sons, Brett and Scott, believed him to be quite the cool guy.

Of course, this would be an incomplete list of his adventures without mentioning his marriage on February 21st, 1981 to Joy Grover, the love of his life, soulmate, and best friend. They enjoyed 40 years of marriage, and set a wonderful example in love, compromise, equality, and compassion for their sons to follow.

Sandy always enjoyed traveling. With his family, he traveled around the continental United States, visiting many educational sites and national parks despite his boys’ protests. Once he had married his sons off (Brett to Lany, and Scott to Rachael), he and Joy spent their retirement traveling to all the fun places they couldn’t go with their boys in tow. Their travels included a cruise along the coast of Alaska, a trip to England and Ireland, and over a month in Australia and New Zealand.

Sandy was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister Dorothea, and his younger brother Robert. He is survived by his wife Joy, his two sons, Brett and Scott, and his two grandsons, Ben and Ezra. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, and a grandfather completely enamored of his grandchildren. A memorial will be held on Saturday, May 29th, 2021 at Faith Church in Loveland at 10:30am.

We all wish Sandy well as he begins his next adventure.