Sandy Graves Jr.

Sanford “Sandy” Graves Jr. passed away peacefully on August 7, 2022, after battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was 74 years old and lived a full and vibrant life.

Sandy was born on July 23, 1948, the son of Sanford Leon Graves Sr. and Bedi Grace Graves. He was the oldest of three children.

Sandy graduated high school from Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland in 1966. He also attended Fletcher Academy and Platte Valley Academy where he was a part of the Medical Cadet Corps. In the spring of 1968, Sanford left the University of Maryland College Park to enlist in the United States Army. Sandy was selected into the Army Special Forces where he served as an Airborne Special Forces Medic Specialist.

Sandy went on to work as a Firefighter and Paramedic for Altamonte Springs/Seminole County Fire Department where he served the community for 17 years. Upon retiring from Seminole County, Sandy went on to invent a product and start his own successful business, which he sold in 2021.

Sandy was a gregarious man who had many friends. He enjoyed many hobbies including boat building, sailing, painting, gardening, and economics. He was a builder, inventor, and tinkerer – he always had an ongoing project or three.

He will be remembered by his family and friends for his sense of humor, passion for learning, thirst for adventure, and unwavering love and protection of his family.

Sandy is survived by his loving wife Nancy Graves; his parents Sandy Graves Sr. and Bedi Graves; his sister Candy DeVore, brother-in-law Gary DeVore, Sister-in-law Paula Graves; his children Randy Graves, Kayleigh Martin, Sesha Farina; and many loving grandchildren: Avery Ganster-Graves, Caroline Farina, Abigail Farina, Sylas Ganster-Graves, Hayleigh Farina, Hazel Farina, Colton Martin, Evelyn Farina, Joseph Farina, and Walker Martin.

He was preceded in death y his brother Randy Graves, and his stepson Aron Roeck.

A Celebration of Life will take place from 2-4 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church, 515 Harley Lester Ln, Apopka, FL 32703.

To celebrate Sandy’s love for the water, the family is asking all to wear blue. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give back to the cancer community by making a blood or platelet donation to the American Red Cross in memory of Sandy Graves Jr.