Robert James Sanford, Sr. was born July 16, 1949 in Harlan, Kentucky. He attended Rosenwald High School and graduated from Harlan High School in 1967. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed technical training at Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas. Robert was assigned to the 328 Security Police Air Defense in Missouri. He received the National Defense Medal and Expert Marksman, and prior to his discharge, he served as a supervisor in the Police Training section.

Following his service to his country, Robert worked at the Acme Hamilton Rubber company in Trenton, NJ. He later moved back with his family in Harlan and took employment with the Housing Authority of Harlan as a maintenance man. He retired in 2009 as a supervisor after 38 years of service.

He was an active member of the Harlan Honor Guard and an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. Robert always enjoyed and loved helping other people, and also had a great love for all animals.

He had a lot of special friends; Doug Twitty, Paul Gadson, Oneal Andrew and John Holt…there are too many to name personally, but each one was dear to Robert’s heart. He had a special cousin, Truman Colton, and surrogate mother, Nancy Johnson.

Robert is preceded in death by his loving wife, Hester Jane Sanford, whom he married March 9, 1976. He is also preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa Jacobs; brothers Eugene Sanford, Charles (Bud) Sanford, Jerry (Rookie) Sanford and Arthur Royal; his sisters, Margaret Jones, Georgia Diew, Anni Lou Britford, Bessie Mae Wallace, Mary Sue Bryant, Gladys (Pudding) Robinson and Agnes Sanford; and by his special dog and companion, CoCo.

He leaves to cherish his passing, a son, Robert Sanford, Jr. (Regina); daughters, Julia Creer (Daryll) and Courtney Benson (Steve); his siblings, Tom Sanford, Larry McKee, Louis McKee, Linda K. Holley, Davins McKee Herron and Laeuna McKee Brannon; a special Goddaughter, Keyaira Henry; eleven grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be after 11 am Saturday, May 5, at Immanuel Baptist Church at Elcomb.

Funeral services will begin at 1 pm Saturday at the church with Pastor Arnold Martin officiating.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery with his comrades from the Harlan Honor Guard serving as casketbearers. Military Rites will be presented by the Honor Guard at the cemetery chapel.

Online condolences may be left at www.harlanobits.net.

Harlan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.