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Donna Rehpohl Sanford

Obituary for Harry Gallup Sanford, Jr.

Harry Gallup Sanford, Jr., 82, of Omak, WA, passed away at his home on December 30, 2014. He was born in Denver, CO on December 17, 1932, to Harry Gallup Sanford, Sr. and Ruth Wood Sanford. He joined older sister, Lucietta, and was later joined by a younger sister, Anne. His father’s job with Butler Manufacturing Company took the family all over the Northeast during Harry’s early years. After his father and mother’s work in Los Angeles during the end of World War II, the family settled in Shady Cove, OR in 1944. Harry graduated from Eagle Point High School in 1951. It was during those years in Shady Cove, that his love of the outdoors developed. He regaled people all of his life with wonderful stories of catching steelhead on the Rogue River and hunting elk in the area because they were among his most cherished memories. Harry married Marjorie Newman on October 30, 1955. To this union, three children were born: Mark in 1957, Scott in 1959 and Kim in 1963. This marriage later ended in 1977.

In 1958, Harry began his career with the Forest Service. He first went to the Prospect Ranger District on the Rogue River National Forest, near Crater Lake National Park. In 1965, he became the District Engineer in Ukiah, OR, on the Umatilla National Forest. Harry transferred to the Okanogan National Forest in 1968 as Zone Engineer for one half of the forest. In 1970, he joined the Forest Planning Team and when he retired in 1985, was Research Analyst for the Planning Team. Harry met his soul mate, Donna Andrist, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. They were married in Okanogan on June 23, 1979. To this union, Donna brought her four children, Katie, Jean, John and Kerrie. Donna and Harry joyfully began their married life with a blended family of seven children and five dogs. Harry loved spending time with his best friend, Donna, walking with his dog up Kermel Grade and watching the does when they brought their fawns to play in the yard. He loved listening to music, but most of all, he cherished time spent with the family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; his children, Mark Sanford and wife, Billy of Phoenix, AZ, Scott Sanford of Portland, OR, Kim Lancaster and husband, John of Omak, WA, Katie Montanez and husband, Rick of Omak, Jean Gustafson and husband, Mark of Selah, WA, John Andrist and wife, Becki of Omak, and Kerrie Clos and husband, Rich of Gig Harbor, WA; his 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Anne of LaGrande, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lucy; and one granddaughter.

Harry was smart and wise, a lifelong student of the world around him, tender-hearted and witty, and always concerned about justice. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Harry’s Life is planned for later in the Spring on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Donations may be made to Frontier Home Health and Hospice, 800 Jasmine Street, Suite 2, Omak, WA 98841. Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel and the Okanogan County Crematory of Okanogan are caring for the arrangements.

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