Jeffrey "Jeff" Sanford, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully Monday, June 15, 2026, while doing something he loved - playing online video games. He left this world the same way he lived in it: fully engaged, curious, and with a controller in his hands. At the time of his passing, Jeff was playing Halo, a game his son, Kevin, had encouraged him to try - and one Jeff had grown to genuinely enjoy. That shared connection will forever remain a cherished memory for Kevin.

Beloved son of the late W. Leon and Arlene Sanford, Sr.; brother of the late W. Leon Sanford, Jr., and Tracy (Tim) Loehr; father of Kevin J. Sanford; uncle, cousin, and friend.

Jeff was born in St. Louis, the family lived in Arnold until he was in third grade.  His childhood was filled with baseball, Boy Scouts, and every outdoor adventure he could find. If it involved dirt or mud, Jeff was all in. His parents quickly learned that dressing young Jeffrey in nice clothes was a losing battle - he could find a mud hole within two minutes, and Easter outfits were only safe if put on seconds before leaving for Grandma's house.

He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, advancing through the Webelos rank with his mom, Arlene, proudly serving as his den leader. Scouting became a meaningful thread that carried into the next generation as well - Jeff's son, Kevin, also joined Scouts and went on to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a milestone Jeff was deeply proud of.

Jeff had a special bond with his grandpa Jerry (Jerome). He loved their fishing and hunting trips together, and those times became some of his most treasured memories. Jeff later honored that connection by giving his son, Kevin, the middle name Jerome.

After the family moved to Ballwin, Jeff's interests shifted to horses. He and his sister, Tracy, shared a deep love for riding, and together they received one of the greatest gifts of their childhood - the chance to choose a horse of their own. Faced with the choice between a beautiful Palomino or a young, sorrel-colored Quarter Horse gelding, they chose the spirited two-year-old gelding, Leo Bull Leo, affectionately known as "Bull." Many happy hours were spent trail riding, with Jeff and Tracy taking turns on Bull and on the ranch owner's old, steady horse, Silver - "the babysitter." Silver carried Tracy far more often than he carried Jeff.

Like many teenage boys approaching sixteen, Jeff's passions eventually turned to anything with wheels - cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes. One of his earliest purchases was a white Cadillac convertible he bought for $50. It may have been a hunk of junk, but it was his, and it was unforgettable.

During high school, Jeff worked several part-time jobs, including Burger Chef, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the local Shell station. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed reruns of Sea Hunt and the animated series Jonny Quest, shows that sparked a lifelong fascination with SCUBA diving.  .

Jeff was determined to learn to SCUBA dive - and clever enough to convince his parents by getting Tracy interested too. Together, they trained at West End Diving and earned their PADI open-water certifications under the guidance of retired U.S. Navy diver Chuck "Bones" Powell. Their mom, Arlene, later became certified as well. Their dad, Leon Sr., gave it a valiant try, but the mask-induced claustrophobia had other plans.

Diving became one of Jeff's greatest passions. He went on to earn his professional certification in San Diego and became a PADI instructor, teaching at West End Diving. Many weekends were spent at Lake Norfolk in Arkansas or at Bonne Terre Mine, guiding new divers through their open-water certifications. Tracy occasionally joined him as a dive buddy when an extra partner was needed.

Jeff also had a natural interest in computers, nurtured by the family's technology business. He worked for a time as a computer technician and network administrator, enjoying the challenge of connecting early personal computers, printers, and peripherals.

In later years, Jeff followed his dream to Florida, hoping to own a boat and lead diving tours. He ultimately purchased a boat with his son, Kevin, a meaningful father-son milestone that became one of Kevin's happiest memories - especially the week they spent together getting the boat ready and bringing it home.  A serious back injury prevented Jeff's dream from fully taking shape, but he did spend meaningful years living aboard that boat in Key Largo, surrounded by the sea he loved.

After experiencing significant health complications following COVID, Jeff returned to the St. Louis area. With determination and resilience, he regained enough independence to live on his own in Dardenne Prairie, where he continued to enjoy gaming, especially with Kevin.
Jeff also adored Kevin's cat, Misty - truly adored her. He talked about her constantly, and she remained one of his favorite topics of conversation. Kevin will always smile remembering how much joy that little cat brought him.

Jeff's influence on Kevin extended far beyond hobbies. Kevin will forever be grateful for the incredible taste in music his dad passed down to him - especially Jeff's love of classic rock, which became a shared soundtrack to their lives.

Jeff's final moments were peaceful and true to who he was - immersed in a game, relaxed, and appearing simply to have fallen asleep. His family takes comfort in knowing he left this world quietly, without fear or pain.

Jeff will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his stubborn determination, his humor, and the countless stories that made him unforgettable. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who shared in the many chapters of his life.

Jeff's legacy lives on in his son. The lessons, adventures, stories, songs, and shared passions they enjoyed together will remain a lasting source of comfort and gratitude. Kevin will carry those memories with him always and considers himself fortunate to have called Jeff not only his father, but also his friend.

Services: Services private. If desired, contributions may be made to Humane Society of Missouri . Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.