Richard Lee Sandford

Richard Lee Sandford, resident of El Paso since 1957, passed away at the age of 94 on May 24, 2024. He was at home with his beloved wife, Juanita June Sandford, and had been on hospice care for 2 weeks due to his failing health. He was born February 5, 1930, in Altus Oklahoma to Anna Catherine Johnson and Wayne Horis Sandford, the sixth of seven children. His life until mid-term of his senior year of high school was spent in Altus, however, the family moved to Enid, Oklahoma where he graduated from high school in 1948.

Richard accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 9 at the First Baptist Church of Chickasha where W. W. Criswell was senior pastor. Work took him to California where he lived with his brother and his family until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After boot camp he entered training to become an aerial photographer during the Korean Conflict. He became ill and was discharged for medical reasons. He worked for American Optical Company in several locations for 20 years, and Wilson Optical and eventually purchased Totten Optical until his retirement.

He spent years as a registered Boy Scout, first as a 10-year old Boy Scout in 1940, as a Leader, Committee Member and Merit Badge Counselor for the next 75 years. He worked with troops 49 and 192 in El Paso and enjoyed scouting very much. He was an accomplished photographer from a young age and he built his own developing process. He was a competition roller skater in dance and

figures. He loved camping with his family as well as fishing and hunting. He attended First Baptist Church of El Paso and was a endowed member in the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Order of the Eastern Star, Red cross of Constantine, Knight Mason & AMD, York Rite Commandery #18, El Paso chapter#157, Council 98, The Royal Orders of Scotland, York Rite #115, Rio Grande Council No. 368, Franklin Council No.63 KM, St. Alphage Conclave RCC. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Juanita June Sandford and 4 children; daughter Susan Kay Dearborn; sons Richard Wayne Sandford (Mary Ann); Charles Edward Sandford (Denessa); and James Douglas Sandford (Patricia); brothers Edward Bryce Sandford and

William Harold Sandford; 11 Grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents, three sisters and two brothers. Burial will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Richard was a member of the Phantom corvette Club in El Paso and always needed his shoehorn every morning to put on his Piloti shoes to go driving in his emerald green corvette. He was a happy man!!