Genealogy techies lost a good friend this week. Al Sanford died
peacefully in his sleep on 8 March 2002 at the age of 77. He was born on Valentine's
Day, 1925 in Edna, Texas. His father died during the Great Depression, and his
mother was forced to place Al and his brother in an orphanage for four years.
Al decided from that point on to always look for the love and laughter on the
bright side of life.
Al enlisted in the Army Air-Force in 1942 and was a sergeant in
the 356th Bomb Group where he became involved in the development of radar. After
World War II, he graduated from SMU and was an aerospace engineer at E-Systems/Raytheon
for thirty years. He had a lifelong passion for literature, the arts, and classical
music, and owned Sanford's Bookstore in the 1970s. He was an usher for many
years at the Dallas Symphony.
In 1991 and 1992, several genealogy groups and computer interest
groups in the Dallas area decided to form a separate group to handle the genealogy
weekends. Al Sanford and his son, a lawyer, filed all the government–inspired,
tax-free status paperwork, and GENTECH was born. The original GENTECH board
had six members, each of whom tossed in $25 to cover operating expenses. The
organization grew over the next few years, due in part to Al’s contributions
as a member of the Board of Directors. Al loved helping people in genealogy
searches and with their computers, and with his help many more have come to
enjoy these favorites among Al’s interests.
Al Sanford also was a founding member of the Rockwall Computer
Center and the Rockwall Genealogical Society and was in the Technical Club of
Dallas and the Raytheon Greenville Retirees, authoring weekly or monthly newsletters
for all of these organizations for many years. He was a Deacon of the First
Baptist Church of Garland, where he produced a monthly newsletter for his Sunday
School Department. Recently appointed to the North American Mission Board with
his wife, he was a Mission Service Corps Volunteer at the Friendship House Health
Ministry.
Al Sanford will always be remembered for his big heart, his love
for helping others, and his many jokes and puns. He always said he felt like
"the richest guy in the world" to have such a large, loving, and happy
family. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Martha, whom he referred
to as "the most beautiful woman in the world;" his brother Bob; son
Brian Sanford and daughter-in-law, Robin; daughter Allison Gephardt and son-in-law,
Douglas; son Raleigh Sanford and daughter-in-law, Michelle; and daughter, Madeleine
Sanford. He is also survived by his nine beloved grandchildren, who were the
constant joy of his retirement.
Graveside services will be 8:30 A.M. 12 March 2002 at Restland
Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 10 A.M. at First Baptist Church
of Garland. Al’s family will receive friends from 5:30-8:30 P.M. 11 March
2002 at Restland Funeral Home. Donations in his honor may be made to the Friendship
House Clinic, 620 W. Ave. B., Garland, 75040. Everyone is invited to a reception
with the family following the service at the McDonald Activities Center.
One special note: In advance of his memorial service, please send
any favorite "Al Stories" to his e-mail at sanfordal@attbi.com.
Stories will be collected by his family before the service.
Dick Eastman Online
