Sanford (Sandy) Thomas Matthews was born April 7, 1944 in Oklahoma City to Dr. Sanford and Muriel (Thomas) Matthews.  He died July 15, 2010, at the age of 66 at his home in Enid.

            Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, July 19, 2010, at  First United Methodist Church in Enid,with Dr. Grayson Lucky and Rev. Susan Southall officiating.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, July 18, 2010, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.

            Sandy attended Oklahoma City schools, graduating from Classen High School in 1962.  He attended Park College in Kansas City for 2 years and graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in history, political science, psychology, and sociology.  He served in the Air Force, including two tours of duty in Vietnam.  After being honorably discharged in 1971, he returned to college and earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from The University of Oklahoma.

            In 1972, he married Patricia (Patti) Gayle Johnson in Tulsa.   Two children were born to them: William Sanford in 1983 and Alison Elaine in 1988.  They made their home in Enid in 1974 where he began his career with the Department of Human Services - Developmental Disability Services, working in various capacities until his retirement in 2002.  From 2003 through 2005, Sandy was the Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church, Enid, and led numerous youth mission trips.

            He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he was a Stephen Minister, member of the Montgomery Sunday School class, and participated in mission trips to Mexico, Brazil, and Alaska.  He served as Church Coordinator for Scout Troop 11 and was an Assistant Scout Master with Troop 27.  He received the God and Service Award.  He volunteered for Hospice Circle of Love, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, and Habitat for Humanity.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care.  He was a former member of the Noon AMBUCS.

            Sandy was a man of many interests.  He loved outdoor activities, including gardening and yard work, camping, backpacking, hunting, rappelling, and golf.  But his greatest love was fly fishing in Creede, CO.  Other interests included listening to classical music, learning about American history, traveling to historic places, attending OSU football games, and researching his family’s genealogy.  Sandy will be remembered for his sense of humor, service to others, abiding faith, love for his family, love of learning, and his enthusiasm for life.

            Sandy is survived by his wife Patti of the home, son Will of Tulsa, sisters Marian Stephenson of Oklahoma City, and Martha Daudet and her husband Robert of Phoenix, AZ, and brother-in-law Bob Johnson of Tulsa.  He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Alison in 2001, his parents, and his sister Elaine Matthews.

            Memorials can be made through the funeral home to First United Methodist Church, Enid, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation - Cancer Division, or the charity of one’s choice.