Tony Wayne Sanford, 73, of Rockingham, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
He was born May 16, 195, in Rockingham, son of the late Thomas “Tip” Marvin Sanford and Estelle Watts Sanford.
Tony worked all the way up until a few months before his passing. He loved driving for the dealership to go and get different cars. Most people know him from managing Charlie’s Corner for years before he worked for Tobacco World. He always loved having a job where he could talk to people. He also loved animals. There wasn’t a cat or dog around him that wasn’t fed. He inherited that passion from his daddy, “Tip” Sanford.
He loved watching NASCAR, specifically Dale Earnhardt, football and wrestling. His latest love and passion was being a grandpa. He would light up every time he saw his grandchildren, Sawyer, Aiden and Evelynn. He loved his family and would do anything for anybody. If you ask anybody who knew Tony, they would always talk about how much they loved him and how nice he always was to everyone he encountered.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas “Tip” and Estelle Watts Sanford.
Left to cherish Tony’s memories are his children, Anna Sanford Betts (Joshua) of Greenville and Cory Sanford (Olivia) of Rockingham; grandchildren, Sawyer Betts, Aiden Betts and Evelynn Sanford; sister, Dianne Sheppard (Johnny) of Rockingham; and niece, Tina Sheppard of Pinehurst.
No formal services are planned at this time.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
