Jerry Dean Sanford October 27, 1932 - July 19, 2023

Jerrald (Jerry) Sanford passed from this world into his heavenly embrace on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023. He was 90 years old and living in Clackamas, Oregon at the time of his passing.

Jerry was born October 27,1932 in Bald Knob, Arkansas. His parents were Henry Ovid and Nona Sanford. His family moved to Banning, California when Jerry was still quite young, and he had 9 siblings.

He graduated from LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles. It was there that he met the love of his life, Joan. They married in Gardena, California after they graduated and served in their first place of ministry in Banning.

Their three sons, Tim, Randall, and Larry were born there before the family moved in 1961 to Nampa, Idaho and then, in 1964 to Columbia City, Oregon where Bethany was born. In both locations, Jerry and Joan served the local Foursquare Gospel church as the Sr. Pastors. Later Jerry went on staff with Easthill Foursquare Church in Gresham, Oregon and was in charge of the counseling department. Jerry and Joan spoke at a variety of leadership and couples’ events in many places around the US and the world.

In 1980, Pastors Jerry and Joan planted Sunnyside Foursquare Church. The church grew quickly, and they built a building with and for the budding congregation in the Clackamas area. They traveled as short-term missionaries all around Asia and were a help and blessing to many pastors and leaders.

In 1996 Jerry and Joan retired and spent part of each year in Arizona. Joan passed away in 2019 from Alzheimers after years of Jerry providing faith care for her in her long decline. He has been living with family in Clackamas since.

Jerry is survived by his four children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren as well as two of his nine siblings—who he prayed for daily.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, August 18th at Sunnyside Foursquare Church (the church he founded) in Clackamas, Oregon from 4 to 6 PM with a reception to follow immediately after. Gifts in his memory can be given to the memorial fund at sunnyside4.org/giving/ .

Two words could sum up the life of Jerry Sanford, ALWAYS FAITHFUL: to his wife, to his family, to the churches he served, but most of all to the Lord he loved with all his heart.