Jerome Daly Sands Jr.

Jerome D. Sands Jr. “Jerry” was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1939, to Jerome D. Sands of Atlanta and Margaret Ridley Urquhart of Columbia, South Carolina. His mother’s family descended from the Urquhart’s of Scotland, whose ancestral home, Urquhart Castle, still stands on the shores of Loch Ness.

His family moved to Macon, Georgia, in 1948. At Lanier High School, Jerry distinguished himself as an outstanding student and class leader. A gifted student, he was a member of Beta Club and was appointed Major in the ROTC program. He graduated with honors and continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he finished first in his class in Mechanical Engineering and was named top officer in the navy ROTC program. He was an active member of the SAE fraternity. His outstanding academic record and his performance within the ROTC program, led to his selection for a special Navy program post-graduation.

After graduating, Jerry served as an Officer in the United States Navy, receiving a two-year assignment to the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia. His responsibilities included testing various sophisticated weapons systems.

Jerry and his wife, Kathy, married in 1962. She joined him in Dahlgren and they moved to Boston where he graduated from Harvard business school. After graduating from Harvard, Jerry returned to Atlanta and joined Robinson-Humphrey, a regional retail securities brokerage firm. He loved his work, his devoted colleagues and the firm. He initially started the firm’s corporate finance and investment banking department. Over his long and distinguished career, he helped build the entire firm into one of the most respected full-service brokerage firms in the Southeast. In 1982, Jerry, then serving as Chief Financial Officer, led the negotiation and sale of Robinson-Humphrey to Sherson American Express. He last served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson-Humphrey.

Throughout his career, Jerry was known for his strategic vision, sound judgment, high standards and commitment to excellence. He earned the admiration of those who worked with him. He will also be remembered as a mentor and man of integrity and kindness, with a keen sense of humor and steady temperament. He embodied the qualities of a true southern gentleman.

Jerry had a lifelong love of the outdoors, particularly hunting and spending time on the land. He enjoyed South Georgia quail hunting with business partners, clients, and longtime friends. He had a deep love for his family’s farm. Some of his fondest memories were in those woods bouncing around on a four-wheeler with Duke, his undisciplined lab, running beside him.

Jerry cherished time with family and friends at Lake Rabun and Sea Island. He was also a tennis player, avid reader and an expert on World War II. He was a longtime member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta for more than 55 years, Jerry also belonged to the Piedmont Driving Club, Commerce Club, Capital City Club, Peachtree Golf Club, Ocean Forest Golf Club and served on the Board of The Lovett School.

Mr. Sands is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Kathrone Rawls Sands (Kathy), originally of Macon, Ga.; two sons, Jerome Daley Sands III (Dale) and his wife, Darby Williams, and Bennett Rawls Sands and his wife, Jeannie Morris; and daughter, Kathrone Sands Hoyt, all of Atlanta.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Helen Darby Sands, Celia Ridley Sands, William Rawls Sands, Margaret Callaway Sands, Katherine Bennett Sands, Hailey Kathrone Hoyt, and Collins Sands Hoyt. Additional survivors include his brother, James Urquhart Sands and his wife Anne Burdett Sands (Nan), of Amelia Island, Fla.; two nephews, James Urquhart Sands III and Andrew Burdett Sands; 4 great nephews and 1 great niece and numerous cousins in Columbia, S.C.

A family interment service will be held at Arlington Memorial Park. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Sandy Springs Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Shepherd Center Foundation.