Robert Fulton Sanford Jr's Obituary
Robert Fulton Sanford, Jr.
August 23, 1927 – March 10, 2026
Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Robert Fulton Sanford, Jr. stepped into eternity into the arms of his Savior, Jesus, on the morning of March 10, 2026. He was surrounded by family, with beautiful songs of praise to the Lord, in gratefulness for his life with us.
A respected and beloved family man, business leader, and faithful friend to many left a beautiful legacy of love, faith, leadership, generosity, and exemplified a beautiful servant’s heart.
Robert “Bob” Sanford was born in his grandmother’s home in Greenville, Texas on August 23, 1927, to his parents, Robert Fulton Sanford, Sr. and Annie Catherine Polk Sanford. He spent his younger years in Houston where he graduated from high school and then attended one year of college at Southwest Texas State University before joining the United States Navy in World War II and served from 1945-1947 as a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class. Upon returning, he completed his education at Southern Methodist University and graduated in 1950. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at SMU.
It was at SMU that he was introduced to Lola Jean Peterson on a blind date on August 16, 1947. It was love from the beginning that led to their wedding on October 20, 1950, three years later, and beautiful marriage of almost 70 years. In May 1951, he joined the Air Force Reserves during the Korean conflict as a part of their 443rd Medical Group.
Bob served as President and CEO of Gilbert X-Ray of Texas from 1952 to 1997, leading the company through decades of growth and innovation in medical imaging services. Following the sale of Gilbert X-Ray, he remained involved until his retirement in 2002. His company served hospitals and health systems throughout Texas with his professional legacy still visible today. The Sanford Imaging Center at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and the CT scanner in the Emergency Department at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas were generously given by Bob and Lola Sanford. In addition, the location of the BUMC Emergency Department in Dallas, on the site of the original Gilbert X-Ray office, stands as a reminder of his contributions to healthcare. He developed strong relationships with doctors in the radiology field at various hospitals who became longtime close friends.
A dedicated supporter of healthcare and education, Bob joined the Baylor Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors in 1995 and served as Chairman of the Board in 2001. He was also a founding member of Baylor Scott & White in McKinney, Texas where he served on the Board of Directors faithfully since its inception. He was so very proud of this hospital, its leadership, and dedicated staff.
Bob and his wife, Lola, raised their 3 children in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas where they lived for almost 30 years. They were very involved in the Lake Highlands community and the activities of their family. In 1981, they purchased the Lazy S Ranch in the Van Alstyne/Gunter area where they moved permanently in 1986. They enjoyed ranch life, spending time with their horses, raising cattle, creating special new friendships in Van Alstyne and making memories with their grandchildren.
Deeply committed to their community, Bob and Lola were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Van Alstyne where Bob served for many years on the Board of Trustees and was a member of their choir with his beautiful bass voice. Their dedication to the community is commemorated in the Sanford Activity Center at the church and the Bob & Lola Sanford Elementary School established in 2019 in Van Alstyne.
Bob generously devoted his time and leadership to the Van Alstyne Educational Foundation Board, Van Alstyne Senior Center Board, the HighGround Trust Advisory Committee (formerly Baptist Foundation) and the Perkins School of Theology. He especially loved supporting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and Manegait Therapeutic Horsemanship in McKinney. He most recently contributed to their new riding arena, “Lola’s Arena” at Manegait in honor of his wife, Lola. In the business community, he served as President of Swiss Avenue Bank Board of Directors and served multiple civic clubs as President of both the Dallas Rotary Club and Hurricane Rotary Club, and President of the Lake Highlands Exchange Club twice. He was also a founding Board member for Presbyterian Village North Retirement Community.
Bob was a strong supporter of youth leadership and character development and was deeply involved with the Circle Ten Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where he received the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. In 2020, he was honored as the Eagle Scout Class Honoree, the “Bob Sanford Class of Eagles”. His commitment to scouting is commemorated through the Sanford Aquatic Center at Camp James Ray. He hosted many troop campouts at the Lazy S Ranch.
Bob Sanford was a patriot who loved and proudly served his country and taught his family those values and principles. His successes and honors were not the measure of his life. His measure was service, always loving and serving people; with quiet humility he sought to bless those around him. We will probably never know all he did for others and he wanted it to be that way.
Above all, his family was his greatest pride and joy. Even at 98, he knew and loved each of his 10 grandchildren and their spouses and could call by name each one of his 28 great-children. We are so grateful and blessed that “Papaw” was able to know and enjoy them and be such a special part of their lives. The Lord blessed our family abundantly with a father and “Papaw” who was such a man of strength of character, integrity, loyalty, and a heart of gold. He was an integral part of every family celebration, holiday, wedding, birthdays, and rejoiced with us in every new baby added to the family. His smile, his laughter, his engaging stories and meaningful conversations will be engrained in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. We give glory to God for his life and all he meant to each of us. The blessing of his legacy of love will live on in our lives and hearts forever.
Bob is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Lola; his parents, Annie & Robert Sanford, Sr., his sister, Sallie Sanford Campbell & his grandson, Andrew Sanford. He will be forever loved and cherished by his three children: Nancy Hinckley (Frank), Beverly Marr (Rick), Doug Sanford (Diann), and his cousin, Louann Lewis.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and their spouses and 28 great-grandchildren: Brian Marr (Sarah), Camp, Cooper, & Colt Marr; Taylor Hinckley (Amanda), Knox, Caroline, Holland, & Rhett Hinckley; Brenda Bird (Drew), Jake, Norah & Annie Bird; John Hinckley (Kate), Ford, Hannah Rose, & Hunter Hinckley; Scott Hinckley (Alyssa), Addison, Hudson, & Tucker Hinckley; Annie Houston (Jonathan), Lola, James, & Dottie Houston; Robert Sanford (Ally), Fulton, Grayson, & Leah Sanford; Catherine Coleman (Clay), Callie, Caleb, & Charlie; Ali LeNeave (Sean), Liam, Harper, & Mack LeNeave; Sallie Sanford (fiancé - Gunner Luleff).
The family would love to honor treasured friends, Kim Braddock and her late husband, Cliff, and her family for the loving care for our parents and the Lazy S Ranch for many years. We would also like to sincerely thank his caregivers Dora White and Josie Lumbay for their love and care for our dad for these last years at home. We are very thankful for the hospice team of nurses, staff and volunteers at T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center and CC Young Hospice Center for walking alongside us through this journey as well as all the special care from his doctors at Baylor McKinney with special thanks to Brett Young, MD and Chief Nursing Officer, Trang Nguyen. We are forever grateful!
In lieu of flowers, please honor Bob Sanford with a donation to the charity of your choice.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
St. Andrew Methodist Church
5801 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
Deuteronomy 7:9
“Know that the Lord God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?