James "Jim" Edward Sanford Jr.

Our beloved brother and friend, James Edward Sanford, Jr., was born in Lewiston, Idaho on March 9, 1953, to James and Dorothy Cash Sanford. In 1986 he moved with his parents to Dayton, Washington, and then in 1997 to Waitsburg after their home burned.

In 2000 Jimmy came to live with his sisters in Yakima. After a struggle with his health, he passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on January 19, 2015.

His mother passed away in June 2007, and his father in September 2009. His sisters, Margene Sanford and June and her husband Jim Adams, and Wilma Sanford, live in Yakima. His brother, Mark and his wife Georgia Sanford, live in Vale, North Carolina. His nieces Amy and her husband Kevin Reep and their children Caitlin and Kara, and Amanda and her husband Junior Reep also live in Vale, North Carolina. His is also survived by an aunt, Ruth (Sanford) Sisley of SeaTac, Washington, and by a number of cousins.

Jimmy has had a special place in the hearts of his family and his many friends. His courage and inner strength in the face of many difficulities, his simple faith, and his love for God have been a great inspiration to us all. He lived without guile, and never carried with him resentment or bitterness from any situation. The Intensive Care Unit Staff were amazed to hear him saying “Thank you” even with uncomfortable procedures. His sweet spirit will not be forgotten.

A memorial service for James will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Rainier Memorial Center, 2807 Terrace Heights Dr.

To share a memory of James, visit www.keithandkeith.com.