James Kenneth Sanford

1932 - 2025

James Kenneth (Ken) Sanford

January 23, 1932 - August 25, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - Ken Sanford served as head of public relations at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for 30 years. Additionally, he wrote columns for the Charlotte News, The Charlotte Observer, and other publications. Ken grew up in Clyde, North Carolina, the son of James Edward Sanford and Bernice Crawford Sanford. Surviving are his wife, Judith Bullard Sanford, two sons, Timothy Sanford (Dana) and Scott Sanford of Charlotte, a daughter, Jeannette Sanford Hill (Greg) of Cary, grandson, Bailey Sanford (Courtney) of Reidsville, and a granddaughter, Carrie Sanford of Knoxville, TN. Surviving also are three great grandchildren of Reidsville. Ken was predeceased by his first wife Alice.

After graduating from Mars Hill University and The University of North Carolina atChapel Hill, Ken served in the U.S. Army before returning to UNC and earning his master's degree in journalism. He began his professional career at the Winston-Salem Journal, serving as copy editor, assistant state editor, news editor, and editorial writer.

Ken joined Bonnie Cone, the founder of the institution that was to become UNC Charlotte in 1964 and served at UNC Charlotte until his retirement in 1994. He wrote: "Charlotte and UNC Charlotte Growing Up Together,", "The Mystique of Mars Hill," and "Building a future from the past: The history of Gaston College." He also wrote chapters in, "Remembering Charles Kuralt," by Ralph Grizzle, and "The North Carolina Century."

Ken served as president of the Charlotte and North Carolina chapters of The Public Relations Society of America and the College News Association of the Carolinas, receiving the Infinity and Gaston Awards. He served as chairman of the Southeast District and was elected to the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America. In 1995 Ken was inducted into to the North Carolina Public Relations Hall of Fame and was listed in "Who's Who in America."

Ken served as president of the Mars Hill National Alumni Board and as a member of the Mars Hill Board of Trustees. In Charlotte, he served on the boards of International House and the Charlotte Folk Music Society. Active in St. John's Baptist Church, Ken served as chair of the Board of Deacons. He was a member of the General Board of the Baptist State Convention and on the Council of Christian Higher Education.

In Lake Wylie, SC, Ken was active in the Lions Club. He moved to Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte in 2020.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 12th, 2025 at St. John's Baptist Church, Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. John's Endowment Fund.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.