James M. Sanford, Sr.

James Michael Sanford, Sr., 70, a lifelong resident of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2022. Mike, as he was known to most, was born February 10, 1951 to Joseph and Myrtle Sanford.

Mike lead a long and colorful life. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and boarded a plane to Vietnam on his 18th birthday to serve as a combat engineer. After his service in the Marine Corps, he served as a police officer with the Charlotte Mecklenburg and Johnson City Police Departments. Additionally, he re-enlisted into military service for the Army and later the National Guard, with almost 40 years of military service to his country at the time of his retirement. One of our dad’s finest qualities was to help anyone that needed or asked. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Alyssa; a brother, Lamar; and a sister, Victoria. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 33 years, Joy Sanford; six children, Joseph McDonald, Elizabeth Humphrey, Michael Sanford (Jennie), Chris Sanford (Stacy), John Sanford (Karen), and Melissa Love (Chris); 17 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his sisters, Carolyn Sanford and Phyllis Sanford; his brother, Wayne Sanford; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.