John Paul Sandoz

John Sandoz of Anthem (Phoenix), AZ died peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026 after a brave fight with metastatic prostate cancer over the last few years. He was born on July 7, 1946 to Paul and Elizabeth (Dugan) Sandoz. John grew up in Omaha, NE where he attended St. Peter’s elementary school, Creighton Preparatory high school and Creighton University. Following this, he did graduate work at Purdue University.

Besides his academic progress in his youth, John enjoyed scouting and all things athletic and outdoor life. He especially cherished pheasant hunting in the fall and early winter months with his dad.

John was a veteran of the Vietnam war, serving in the United States Army. He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal. Following his stint in the Army he returned to his teaching and graduate work at Purdue.

He moved to Seattle where he worked in transportation logistics and finance. He also received his MBA at the University of Washington. In his spare time, he became an avid cyclist and Alpine skier/instructor.

While attending his brother’s wedding in Omaha, John met his soulmate Jan. He moved back to Omaha and they were married a year later. John worked as a statistical analyst in kidney transplant research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

After retirement John & his wife moved to Anthem, AZ where they soon became involved with ProMusica AZ, Jan as a singer and John as logistics coordinator.

John’s passion for travel led them on many adventures around the world including France, Ireland, Portugal, New Zealand, Austria, and Italy. John was a devoted husband and friend, a man of quiet strength and a true gentleman.

John is survived by his wife of 29 years, Janice Sandoz (Dickinson), sisters Marge Aman (Dennis) and Mary Sandoz, brothers Rev. Robert Sandoz and Thomas Sandoz, cousin Richard Hartman (Gail), nieces and nephews Laura, Kaitlin, David, Danny, Nick and Conrad, and numerous friends and neighbors.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm at Shadow Rock Church, 12861 N. 8th Ave, Phoenix, AZ. Immediately following the service, there will be an open house at the Sandoz home, 2913 W. Plum Hollow Ct, Anthem, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in John’s memory to ProMusica Arizona, www.pmaz.org, Foothills Foodbank, https://foothillsfoodbank.com/ or the nonprofit of your choice.