Steven Philip Sanford

Steven Philip “Deeb” Sanford, 58, of Lynchburg, died on Monday January 25 after a brief struggle with cancer. Steve was the son of Betty Sanford Lupton and the late William Eugene Sanford Sr., and was born on February 22, 1962 in Lynchburg. Steve attended Paul Munro Elementary School, James River Day School, Virginia Episcopal School and was a 1981 graduate of E.C. Glass High School. After attending the University of Alabama for two years, Steve returned to Lynchburg and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lynchburg College in Business Administration. A lifelong technology “nerd”, Steve started working in the electronics field immediately after college. He worked in California as a systems programmer and later returned to Lynchburg, then Baltimore and Charlotte to work in sales and network administration for Glen White Associates. Steve lived and worked in Charlotte as an independent network engineer for the last ten years of his career. Steve’s love of technology extended beyond the workplace. He was known among friends and family as the “go-to” guy for all technology matters, including PC repairs, home and car stereo installations, and even dance party music events. Friends will remember Steve’s pioneering crea-tions of mix tapes of his favorite James Brown and Kool & the Gang tunes. Steve could start a party with his world-famous laugh. He always welcomed newcomers with the same enthusiasm his friends enjoyed. He was happiest watching Alabama football games with friends at home, at The Sports Page on Lake Norman or at the Cavalier in Lynchburg. Steve loved Alabama football and football in general. When Steve returned to Lynchburg in 2017, he and his sister Crystal kept the neighborhood hopping during football season with Alabama and Carolina Panthers parties, which often included football pools, team mascots and merchandise. Steve was devoted to his family and looked forward every year to Beach Week at Hilton Head with his many nieces and nephews. His favorite pastime recently was “Covid Date Night” on the deck at Oakwood with his mom, Betty. In addition to his mother, Steve is survived by his three, loving big brothers: Keith Sanford (Julia) of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Kirk Sanford of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Bill (Marianne) of Lynchburg, nieces Grace Sanford and Annie Sanford of Chattanooga, Julia and Mallie Sanford of Brooklyn, New York, Lizzie Sanford of Baltimore, Maryland and Louisa Reinhart (Spencer) of Golden, Colorado, and nephews Charles Sanford (Meg) of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Phillips Sanford and Alex Sanford of Chattanooga and Lawson Sanford of San Diego, California, and grand-nephews, Brougher and Marken Sanford of Lookout Mountain, Georgia. The family would like to thank all of Steve’s friends and members of the Lynchburg community for their love and support over the last few months. The family would also like to thank Steve’s caregivers, especially, Dr. Kevin Patel, and the doctors and staff at Centra Health for their com-passionate care and support for Steve during this time. There will be a private ceremony for Steve in Lynchburg on Saturday January 30, followed by a Celebration of Steve’s Life to be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Crystal Anne Sanford Fund at the Centra Foundation or to Virginia Episcopal School.