Don C. Sanford

Don C. Sanford, 79, of McCall, Idaho passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026 at his home in McCall with loved ones at his side.

A beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was born to Donald C. and Florence Bowen Sanford on December 7, 1946 in the Park Family home at 114 East Lake Street in McCall, Idaho.

He was a high school wrestler and district champion who competed at the state wrestling tournament in 1964.

Don married Judy Haas in 1965, a union which produced two daughters, Jody and Stephanie. Later Don was married to Janet Davis and two more children were born, Teresa and Ryan.

His career with the US Forest Service began when he was just 18 years old, in 1965. He worked there until his retirement in 2009.

Don lived his entire life in McCall, aside from a few months where he and Judy lived in Payette so he could work while laid off from the Forest Service one winter.

He had many interests which he pursued over his lifetime. Don played the harmonica, he loved poetry, motorcycles, bow hunting, photography, Judo (he was a brown belt), and geocaching. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and he had a special interest in the game of pool, always seeking to improve his skills.

He is survived by his four children, Jody (Joe) Lewis, Stephanie Anderson, Teresa (Brock) Leavitt, and Ryan Sanford, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, as well as a sister Suzanne Bollenbach and brother Richard Sanford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Florence Sanford, a brother, Oscar “Pete” Paananen, and a sister Kathy Hernandez.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.