Raymond Walter Sanford, age 84, passed away peacefully at his daughters home in Mesa, Ariz. on June 15. He was born in Flint, Mich. on June 27, 1935 to Marguerite and Leonard Sanford.
Ray’s family moved to Charlevoix, Michigan in 1946. He attended Charlevoix High School and worked at a soda shop in a pharmacy. After he graduated in 1952 he went to college at the University of Michigan and majored in Pharmacy, but decided to join the Navy in 1954 before he completed his degree. During that time he met his soon to be wife Gloria Foltz while he was stationed in Bremerton Washington. He married her on June 1st, 1958. They were together until her death in 2014.
Ray lived and worked in various parts of the country including working for Vermont Yankee, an electricity generating nuclear power plant in Vernon Vermont. He and his family finally moved to Wheatland Wyoming in 1978 where he took the position as Instrument Supervisor at Missouri Basin Electric Power Plant. After Ray retired, he and Gloria enjoyed spending time with their three granddaughters, traveling in their motor home and went to Arizona often for Spring Training Baseball. Also during his retirement he drove school bus part time because of his love of children. After Ray’s wife passed away, he moved to Arizona in 2015 to be near his daughter Ralene. He moved into her home in 2018 and they enjoyed many adventures during his twilight years.
Ray will be remembered by many for his sharp intellect, quick wit and playfully sarcastic sense of humor, along with his love of all sports, especially baseball. He was an avid fisherman, decent golfer, and talented with his hands making beautiful intarsia woodworking designs. He was a loving husband, devoted father and great friend to all that knew him.
Ray is survived by his son Terry Sanford, his daughter Ralene Sanford, his three granddaughters Cody Loveland, Kati Sanford and Tori Sanford, his great granddaughter Layla Loveland and his brother Richard Sanford, sister Lorian McSwain and was predeceased by his brother Robert Sanford and his sister Lucille Allard.
No memorial services are currently scheduled because of COVID19. No flowers please. Condolences can be sent to: 5235 E Southern Avenue, Ste D106-205, Mesa AZ 85206.
