Roy Dee Sanderford

Roy Dee Sanderford, 83 of Gun Barrel City passed on December 14th, 2021, at 6:15 p.m., surrounded by family after the lengthy battle of failing health.

Roy Dee Sanderford was born January 28th, 1938, at home in Kaufman County, Texas to Henry Frank Sanderford and Thelma Pauline Fisher. Roy Dee was an only child but had many cousins on his father’s side that was like brothers to him. For a brief time in childhood, he and his parents lived in California. In the 1950’s he and his parents moved to Corsicana, Texas where he meet his wife, Frances Jo Thorpe. They were married on September 16, 1957. Together they had four children, three sons and one daughter.

Early in the marriage they moved to Arlington, Texas to raise their family and that is where Roy Dee retired from J.C. Duncan/Arlington Disposal, which was the main Disposal company in the local area. He worked for them over 30 years. He missed working there until the end. In 2006, Roy Dee, Frances and their son Wesley retired to the Cedar Creek Lake area permanently. He loved the country life and did not missed the busy city life. Prior to failing health, he enjoyed fishing and tending to his garden. Once he was no longer able to do either of those, he enjoyed his time mowing his yard and just setting outside in the sun and being in nature.

Early in adulthood Roy Dee became a Master Mason at the Arlington Masonic Lodge #438 and where he still holds and Endowed Membership. He joined many of the other branches of Masonry, but his love was the Blue Lodge. He was also a member of the Cedar Creek Lake Lodge #1431. He taught many gentlemen the Degrees of Masonry in Arlington several gentlemen the at the Cedar Creek Lake Lodge as well.

He was an incredibly soft spoken and a kind man, but he knew how to pull a fast one on you and to get you to smile and laugh. No matter how bad he felt he would ask you many times how you felt and was worried about you and not himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Frank Sanderford and Thelma Pauline Tyree.

He is survived by his wife Frances Jo Sanderford of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Son Roy L. Sanderford of Gun Barrell City. Son Lesley Sanderford of Wylie, Texas. Son Wesley Sanderford of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Daughter Cheryl Nix and Husband Alan Nix of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Grandson Terrance Sanderford of Arlington, Texas. Grandson Matthew Sanderford of DFW, Texas, Grandson David Sanderford of New York. Granddaughter Taunya Sanderford of New York. Granddaughter Michelle Thomasson and Husband Lewis Thomasson Jr. of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Granddaughter April Pearce and Wife Rachel Pearce of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Granddaughter Tara Trimmins of Gun Barrel City. Grandson Alan Nix Jr., Currently Station at the Marie Corps Air Station in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Pref., Japan. Grandson Jerrad Trimmins of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Granddaughter Hailey Nix of Tomball. Great Granddaughter Mackenzie Sanderford of Arlington, Texas. Several nieces and nephews, many close family friends, and members of the Masonic Family.

In Lieu of flowers the family has requested donation to be made to the Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth, Rainbow Girls #369. Checks made out to IORG #369 in memory of Roy D Sanderford and can be mailed to the Treasure Cheryl Nix at 131 Harmon Road, Gun Barrel City, Texas 75751.