Eric James Sanford

ERIC JAMES SANFORD

Snoqualmie, Wash.

Eric James Sanford, 46, of Snoqualmie, Wash., formerly of Ottumwa, Iowa, died of natural causes at his home in Snoqualmie on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018.

He was born Dec. 13, 1971, in Ottumwa to James and Nancy Frazier Sanford. He married Darcy Shaffer and they later divorced. He married Laura Wood on March 27, 2017.

A graduate of Ottumwa High School in 1990, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and political science from Buena Vista University and earned a master's degree in finance from St. Ambrose University.

At a younger age, he worked for his father at Sanford Construction. He worked for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, at Nintex in Bellevue, Wash., where he was manager of Finance, Sales and Marketing Operations Support, and for Parker-Lynch, an executive recruiting agency in Seattle.

Eric lived an adventurous life. He enjoyed rock climbing; having summitted Mount Rainier, and was an avid road and mountain biker. He enjoyed kayaking, snowboarding and backpack camping.

Surviving are his wife, Laura; a stepdaughter, Nicole Wood; his parents, James and Nancy Sanford of Ottumwa; a sister, Heather (Brad) Grooms of Ottumwa; and nephews and niece, Hoyt, Allison and Trent.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and his dog, Madie.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home, Ottumwa, with Pastor Shane Frazier officiating. Private burial will be in Shaul Cemetery, Ottumwa.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday with the family present one hour prior to the service to greet friends.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Pregnancy Center or Heartland Humane Society.