John Thomas Sanford was born February 1, 1960 in Merced, California to Fern Gloria (Dargatz) and Robert Thomas Sanford. The family moved around during John's early childhood, living in Merced, Mt. Shasta and Buttonwillow. John attended grade school in Buttonwillow until the third grade then transferred to Maple School and graduated from Shafter High School with the Class of 1978. While in high school he was active in FFA. John worked at the Lost Hills Jack-in-the-Box where he and his future wife, Shirrel Cotter, met and worked together. They married June 20, 1980 in Wasco where they made their home and where their daughter, Jami was born in 1984. John worked for Paul Otto as a brick mason and in the oil fields until he started his 32-year career working for Wasco High School in building maintenance and as a bus driver. John attended many of the activities at Wasco High School, he enjoyed being at school with the kids. He attended every single home football game, cheering on the tigers. John had a gift for set design and construction, a talent he shared with many organizations including the Rose Pageant for over 15 years, community displays at the Kern County Fair, Vacation Bible School at Westside Family Fellowship, Toys for Tigers Halloween House to name but a few. His other community activities included the Relay for Life and California State Employees Association. John was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing and just being alone in the wilderness. He enjoyed the peace and beauty of God's creation and sunset was his favorite time of the day. John never met a stranger and was loved and will be missed by many. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and his motto was: "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." - John Wayne John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Shirrel Sanford of Wasco; daughter, Jami Sanford of Fresno; mother, Fern Sanford of Shafter; sisters, Carol Cummings and husband Randy of Bakersfield and Jennie McGuckian and husband Mike of Colorado; parents-in-law, Ray and Gracie Cotter; brother-in-law, James Cotter and wife JoAnn; sister-in-law, Rose Dulaney and husband Robert; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Sanford. A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 11am at Westside Family Fellowship for John Thomas Sanford, age 53, of Wasco who passed away December 27, 2013 in Bakersfield. A graveside service will precede the memorial at Wasco Cemetery at 10am. Pastor John Ross will officiate the services. A visitation will be held, Wednesday, January 1, 2013 from 2pm to 8pm at Peters Funeral Home.