Obituary of Anthony Leon Sanford

Anthony Leon Sanford, PhD

Anthony (Tony) Leon Sanford 77, passed away peacefully September 9, 2023 while sleeping. Tony was born in McMinnville, TN in May 1946, to Army Captain Leon Franklin Sanford and Mildred Louise.  Before retiring, his parents purchased a home in Glendale, AZ where Tony attended Glendale High School.  It is believed that he was the first to "Letter" in all four sports all four years.  He excelled in the track high hurdles and was preparing to run in the Olympics before he suffered a lifelong knee injury.  He attended college at Illinois University, Westmont College in California and later the University of New Mexico where he obtained his Doctorate Degree.

Tony was an extraordinarily dedicated athlete.  He taught sports at the University of New Mexico when he wasn't playing sports.  He worked for a time at a local gym, then tried his luck in commercial real estate.  He enjoyed working for the Juvenile Justice System as a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer climbing to the Supervisory level where he later retired. He was a Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge #6 and served on the Board of Directors for Ashlar Assembly #58 Rainbow Girls.  Other hobbies included attending antique auto shows, camping and fishing with his wife/partner and friends.

Tony is survived by his wife and partner, Kim Sanford (Lusk) of Albuquerque, a sister, Barbara Coleman Parish of Roy, UT and a son, Michael Sutton of Mesa, AZ. He also has a niece, Michelle Locke (Roy, UT) and her daughter, Alaina Hopkins Locke (Mesa, AZ) with 5 children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kenneth Sanford, and a nephew, Michael Locke.

Tony has requested that there be no formal observance of his passing and that his ashes be scattered privately at his favorite camping/fishing area. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to St. Jude's Hospital or the ASPCA.