Sanford Holmes Kirkland, III

Born August 26, 1941 in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Colonel Sanford Holmes Kirkland, Jr. and Marian “Toni” Kirkland.

In 1959, after graduating from high school, Sanford “Sandy” joined the United States Army when he was just 17 years old. He later went on to earn a BS in Speech from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and a Masters in Communication from Central Missouri State University. It was there that he met his late wife, Marie Lillian Steele Kirkland. They were married for 41 years.

Sandy spent the first two decades of his career working in radio broadcasting. Most of that time was spent in public broadcasting. He managed a commercial radio station in Miami, Florida and then built and managed three public radio stations in Warrensburg, Missouri; Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Following his career in radio broadcasting, he became a corporate trainer specializing in computer-based training (CBT).

After Sandy retired, he was active in his church and at the senior center. He was an avid gardener and an excellent cook. He loved to learn and continued to take classes, read and paint.

Surviving are his children and their spouses Jocelyn Marie and Robert Spreitzer, Jacob Alexander and Shannon Kirkland, and Jessica Abigail and Michael Amato; his grandchildren Zachary, Harrison Cade, and Acton Spreitzer, Lillian and Jackson Kirkland, and Vincent and Victor Amato; his nephew James Michael Steele; and his great nieces Britni and Shelby Steele and their children.

He was predeceased by his brothers David and John “Jacques” Kirkland and his niece Michelle Steele.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m on Friday, January 13th at St. Thomas Episcopal Church,1416 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232 with the Rev. Mike Michie officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your local veteran’s hospital or the charity of your choice.