David Allan Sanford

david sanford
David Allan Sanford, age 70, passed peacefully in his home on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Canyon Lake, Texas. Dave was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and dedicated friend. Dave was born to Dean Arthur Sanford and Evelyn Lungstrom Sanford on November 14, 1952 in Belvidere, Illinois. When he was 14 years old, the family moved to San Antonio, and he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1970. He is preceded in death by his father Dean and his brother Jeff. He is survived by his daughter Brenda Jean Mitchell and her husband K.C.; his granddaughters Baileigh and Deaven Mitchell; his mother Evelyn; along with his siblings and their spouses, Judy and Kenneth King, Doug and Linda Sanford, Patricia Van Raalte Clark and Tom Clark, Laura and Russell McFall. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who lovingly call him “Uncle Dave.” Dave saw the world as his playground, always seeking out adventures and opportunities. Through the years he worked as an automotive mechanic who also enjoyed racing cars, flying planes, water skiing, sailing, and working on his brother Doug’s ranch. He loved traveling to see his family and was known for his storytelling skills about his adventures. For the last two decades, Dave was an avid part of the Lake McQueeney Ski Bees and the Lake Canyon Yacht Club. You would often find him volunteering in both communities and sharing his love of skiing and sailing with everyone he encountered. Dave was a loving Christian who lived to selflessly ‘Love thy neighbor,’ and lead by example for all to witness. He was a teacher by nature and rarely met an obstacle he was unable to fix. A celebration of life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. A reception will be held immediately following at the Zion Fellowship Hall.

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  1. Brenda, Your father was an amazing, generous, funny, adventurous, and caring man. I am a better person today because of knowing him.

  2. I have known Dave my entire life. The stories my parents told of their friendship when they were in school together to the days of water skiing and even working at his shop. Dave always had a smile on his face no matter what was happening. He was a great teacher and loved driving a boat and pulling a skier. One if the best experiences of my life was when he took me flying in his plane. I was immediately hooked and flying was a passion. Thank you for the memories, the laughs, the teachings, and opportunities. You will be missed by all.

  3. Dave you were a great person to work for at Sanford Auto service. You shared with your employees things most bosses didn’t you were very understanding in the difficult job of repairing modern vehicles and always willing to get in and get your hands dirty in the difficult ones. I worked for Dave for 13 years until he retired from his shop in 2004 if he would have still been there I probably would still be there too. Thanks for the caring and selflessness you exuded throughout your life touching so many lives unknowingly. You will be missed by many.

    My favorite quote of Dave’s was when someone came in bragging about something they just got was ; I applaud your ability to afford such extravagance.

  4. Dave was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Thank you for sharing him with all of our Ski Bee families. My girls spent many many evenings skiing by on Dave’s shoulders and always felt safe, for several years they wouldn’t ski if they couldn’t have Dave as the base. Dave was always happy to do the “thankless” jobs and he seemed to love them, making ropes, working on skis, etc. From the Walker family to the Sanford family, I want to say THANK YOU for sharing this wonderful man with us. God Bless!

  5. Dave and the old white Chevy reluctantly driving Pat and I to Robert E Lee football games. The first time I was ever in a car going a hundred miles an hour was with Dave and Pat on Loop 410 sailing by Central Park and North Star Mall.
    Great smile, but seemed rather stern to little sister’s high school friends.
    I love the Stanfords.


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