Stevensville – Howard George “Sandy” Sandford loving son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on August 3, 2021. He was born on the family ranch located near Helmville, Montana on February 22, 1930. Dad was known by his nick name, “Sandy” to most everyone. Although, some of his nieces called him “Uncle How Weird,” in fun.
Sandy is proceeded in death by his parents William and Bessie Sandford and his stepfather George Kimerly and his guardians Paul and Hilda Fitzpatrick. He is also proceeded in death by his brothers and sisters Annie, Ethel, William and Johnny Sandford and Betty, Rose, George, Ida, Darlene, Herbert, Evelyn and Henry Kimerly.
Sandy was a successful football player in high school being chosen to play in, one of the initial, East/West Shrine Games. We believe he played in the days of leather helmets and no facemasks. He was a huge University of Montana Grizzly booster. Mom and dad had season football tickets from 1986 to 2019, and rarely missed a home or playoff game. He attended Grizzly football games until he was 89 years old.
He spent many hours fishing the Missouri River below Hauser Dam. We grew up going on many camping vacations to river and lake fishing destinations in Montana including the Yellowstone, Blackfoot, Big Hole, and Jefferson Rivers.
Dad was quite honest, on a vacation to Disneyland, when eating at a restaurant in Anaheim, CA, the kitchen caught on fire and the restaurant was evacuated. Dad was the only one that we saw that went back and paid the bill for the meal, that we didn’t get to finish.
After graduating from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge, dad attended the University of Montana in Missoula, which was interrupted by his service in the Army from 1954 to 1956. Upon his return to the United States, he earned a degree in business from the University of Montana in 1956, which was known as Montana State University at that time.
On June 25, 1952 Sandy married his high school sweetheart, Joan Watson, and have been married for 69 years. They raised two sons: John and David Sandford.
Dad is survived by wife Joan, son David, son John and daughter-in-law Vicki, grandchildren: Nick Sandford married to Jenelle, his great granddaughter Evelyn, Brian Sandford engaged to Kelly Mellot, and Kelly Sandford with partner Zac Hixson. Also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law Thomas and Davis Rainville, several nieces and nephews including nieces Andrea Clampitt, Lori Wright, Judy Meyer, Janne’ Joy, and Jannette Hale.
Professionally, dad worked for the Montana National Guard in Missoula and Helena, MT. His last job was a Property Manager at the United States Property and Fiscal Office Warehouse in Helena, MT. After retirement, Sandy and Joan moved to the Bitterroot Valley in Stevensville, MT. In 1986, they became involved in the VFW and Odd Fellows service organizations in the Bitterroot.
Memorials are suggested to Bitterroot Humane Association or a charity of your choice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.