Kenneth Ray ‘K-Bar’ Sanford
Kenneth Ray ‘K-Bar’ Sanford passed away at his home in Holdenville on Tuesday afternoon, October 15, 2019, at the age of 87 years.
Kenneth was the son of William Homer Sanford & Thelma Edith Lorena (Jones) Sanford, born on September 27, 1932, at Non, Oklahoma. He was brought up in the Non/Gerty area, where he attended Non schools through the eighth grade, and graduated Gerty High School with the Class of 1951. He married Jean Jacobs, and to this union was born two sons, Audie Ray and Danny Lee. Kenneth later married Beverly Louise Stone in Ada, Oklahoma on June 20, 1972. They were parents of three children: William Ray, Shawn Lee, and Misty Dawn.
Kenneth made his home in Holdenville for most of his adult life. He worked in the oilfield in his younger years, and also owned and operated Sanford & Sons Water Well Drilling, as well as Sanford’s Feed & Bait Store and other bait and convenience stores in the Holdenville area. He loved to work, and in later years, he mowed lawns and took care of his farm and ranch, mainly his cattle. Among his favorite pastimes were fishing and coon hunting, and he loved to spend time with his grandbabies. He regularly attended Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Holdenville until his health no longer permitted. He was a member of the Non Free Will Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William & Thelma Sanford; one son, Audie Ray Sanford; two grandchildren, Katina and Brandon; two great grandchildren, Ashlee Nicole and Randy ‘Cub’; five brothers: James Sanford, Lloyd Sanford, Harmon Sanford, Travis Sanford, and Bill Sanford.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Beverly, of the home; four children: Danny Sanford (Shirley), Willy Sanford, Shawn Sanford, all of Holdenville, and Misty Kirkland (David) of Lamar; 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren; one brother, Orville Sanford (Carolyn) of Crockett CA; the mother of his two older sons, Jean Carpenter of Holdenville; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends, particularly special friends of the Liars Club: Bonnie McCoy, Rex Bynum, Shelby Burchett, James Cook, Jackie Siegrist, Lloyd Cross, Ed Cross, Lloyd Vance, Willard Ringgold, Bill Lumpkin, Tom Clayton, Boots Martin, and David Pope.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to Holdenville Hospital doctors, nurses and aides, and also to the staff of Angelic Hospice, for their excellent care.
There will be no viewing at the funeral home. All viewing and visitation for Kenneth will take place at his home at 901 East Adams in Holdenville, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October
16. Wake services will be held at the home at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 18th , 1:00 p.m. at Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Holdenville, and Kenneth will be laid to rest at Non Cemetery. Rev. Earl Scroggins is the officiating minister. Pallbearers are Willy Sanford, Shawn Sanford, Scott Fowler, Kyle Fowler, Justin ‘Beef’ Fowler, and Harold Gordon. Honorary pallbearers are Levi Sanford, Jimmy Sanford, Imani Dindy, David Kirkland, Gary Sanford, Jimmy Wakeley, Lloyd Vance, and Clay Chissom.
Services are under direction of Fisher Funeral Home of Holdenville.