Roy Eugene Sanford, 85 of Hutchinson, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas died Monday, January 2, 2012 at the Hospice and Homecare of Reno County in Hutchinson.

Roy was born October 29, 1926 in Ayr, Nebraska, the son of Harry and Estella (Churchill) Sanford.  He grew up in Ayr and graduated from Ayr High School.

Roy served his country in the U.S. Navy during 1945 to 1946.  He served as a crewman aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Antietam.

Roy was united in marriage to Emma Darlene Riese on June 18, 1950 in Hasting, Nebraka.  This union was blessed with three children; Brenda, Craig and Lisa.  Darlene preceded him in death on February 7, 2001.

Roy worked as a field technician for Amoco Oil Company for many years.  Roy started working in the Washington, Kansas area before moving to Bushton, Kansas.  Then in 1959 Roy and his family moved to Russell where he worked until his retirement in 1981.

Roy was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church of Russell.  After retiring, Roy and Darlene loved to travel.  They were snowbirds for over 20 years traveling mainly in the southwest of the United States.

Surviving family include his son, Craig Sanford of Russell, Kansas; daughters, Brenda Miller and husband Gaylon of Hutchinson, Kansas and Lisa Edgar and husband Terry of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Curtis Sanford and wife Patricia of Lincoln, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Scott, Jennifer, Bryce and Ross; two great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Sanford of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  two brothers, Gerald Sanford and Virgil Sanford; and two sisters, Harriet Sorensen and Jessie Drzelwiecki.

Celebration of Roy’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Earl Haggard officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM with the family present to greet friends from 7 PM to 8 PM at the mortuary.  A memorial has been established with the Otterbein United Methodist Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.