Jeffrey Stephen Sanford, 46, an Aberdeen resident for most of his life, died at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, following collapse at his home on Saturday, March 26, 2011. He was born in Aberdeen, October 22, 1964, the son of Richard A Sanford of Elma, and JoAnne (Russell) Sanford of Aberdeen.
Jeff was a 1983 graduate of Weatherwax High School. Following high school, he attended Grays Harbor College then went on to receive an AA Degree in Electronics Technology from Skagit College in Mt. Vernon, Washington. At the time of his death, he was working on his AS degree in Industrial Control Systems Technology at Grays Harbor College.
In 1998, he married Shawn Peterson; they were divorced in 2006.
Described by several of his friends as “the kindest man I’ve ever known”, Jeff was a musician who played in numerous local bands, Electric Taxi, Alpha Dog, Six Pack Pretty and Stiffler (Vancouver). His greatest passion in life was animals. He had a natural affinity with animals and he was always surrounded by his family of rescued cats. Jeff was almost never seen without his dog. They were inseparable. He was one of the original group that founded Coastal Animal Rescue & Adoption in 2006 and was a volunteer with the Grays Harbor Spay Neuter Project.
Nature was Jeff’s cathedral. He loved being in the forest or at the ocean. For 30+ years, summer retreats to Arch Cape OR, were sacred to him. He was a conservationist, passionate about protecting the environment, recycling and very concerned about the impact of humans on a planet that belongs to all living things, especially the animals.
His friends describe him as a kind, caring and generous man who freely gave his friendship to all who came into his life. They best remember him as one of the funniest men they ever knew who brought positive energy to any group he joined. With his quick wit, Jeff saw humor in even the most mundane of topics. Laughter filled any space he occupied.
While living in Mt Vernon, he worked for an auto parts store, a microwave tower installation company, and a parts delivery warehouse. When he returned to Aberdeen, he developed a business building and installing sound systems, as well as repair and retrofitting electronic musical instruments. In the late 90’s, he formed his own computer repair and network maintenance business, POLR.com.
Jeff is survived by his mother, JoAnne Sanford, at the family home in Aberdeen and his father, Richard ( Pat) Sanford of Elma, as well as two sisters, Lisa Sanford (Tacoma) and Val-Rae Christenson (Orangeburg, ,SC), an aunt Jo-Celle (Ken) Strom, and cousins Keith (Lynn) Strom (Snohomish) and Kristi (Jeff) Steuben (Aberdeen).
A memorial graveside gathering will be held at Fern Hill Cemetery’s Colonade Gardens at noon on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The memorial is open to all who wish to join in the final tribute to the life of this “tall, skinny guy with the crazy hair and a goofy grin”.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Coastal Animal Rescue and Adoption; Post Office Box 63; Aberdeen WA 98520.
A card of condolence may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeffrey Sanford, please visit our flower store.
Jeff was a 1983 graduate of Weatherwax High School. Following high school, he attended Grays Harbor College then went on to receive an AA Degree in Electronics Technology from Skagit College in Mt. Vernon, Washington. At the time of his death, he was working on his AS degree in Industrial Control Systems Technology at Grays Harbor College.
In 1998, he married Shawn Peterson; they were divorced in 2006.
Described by several of his friends as “the kindest man I’ve ever known”, Jeff was a musician who played in numerous local bands, Electric Taxi, Alpha Dog, Six Pack Pretty and Stiffler (Vancouver). His greatest passion in life was animals. He had a natural affinity with animals and he was always surrounded by his family of rescued cats. Jeff was almost never seen without his dog. They were inseparable. He was one of the original group that founded Coastal Animal Rescue & Adoption in 2006 and was a volunteer with the Grays Harbor Spay Neuter Project.
Nature was Jeff’s cathedral. He loved being in the forest or at the ocean. For 30+ years, summer retreats to Arch Cape OR, were sacred to him. He was a conservationist, passionate about protecting the environment, recycling and very concerned about the impact of humans on a planet that belongs to all living things, especially the animals.
His friends describe him as a kind, caring and generous man who freely gave his friendship to all who came into his life. They best remember him as one of the funniest men they ever knew who brought positive energy to any group he joined. With his quick wit, Jeff saw humor in even the most mundane of topics. Laughter filled any space he occupied.
While living in Mt Vernon, he worked for an auto parts store, a microwave tower installation company, and a parts delivery warehouse. When he returned to Aberdeen, he developed a business building and installing sound systems, as well as repair and retrofitting electronic musical instruments. In the late 90’s, he formed his own computer repair and network maintenance business, POLR.com.
Jeff is survived by his mother, JoAnne Sanford, at the family home in Aberdeen and his father, Richard ( Pat) Sanford of Elma, as well as two sisters, Lisa Sanford (Tacoma) and Val-Rae Christenson (Orangeburg, ,SC), an aunt Jo-Celle (Ken) Strom, and cousins Keith (Lynn) Strom (Snohomish) and Kristi (Jeff) Steuben (Aberdeen).
A memorial graveside gathering will be held at Fern Hill Cemetery’s Colonade Gardens at noon on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The memorial is open to all who wish to join in the final tribute to the life of this “tall, skinny guy with the crazy hair and a goofy grin”.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Coastal Animal Rescue and Adoption; Post Office Box 63; Aberdeen WA 98520.
A card of condolence may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jeffrey Sanford, please visit our flower store.
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