DONALD ALLEN "BLONDIE" SANDS

1926 - 2016

DONALD ALLEN "BLONDIE" SANDS, 90, of South Point, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016, at his residence. He was born August 18, 1926, in Ironton, a son of the late Charles Sands and Nancy Louise Moore Sands. He was also preceded in death by a son, Rev. James Allen Sands, and a granddaughter, Joy Andrea Sands. Donald was retired as a Consultant for Allied Chemical Company and was a long-time member of South Point United Methodist Church. He worked closely with Lawrence County's Special Olympics, Boy Scouts Troop 115 where he served as an assistant scoutmaster and as a soccer coach. He also served on four boards, including the Ironton Board of Education, the county's first vocational school board, Ohio University Southern Campus' advisory board and four years on the South Point Board of Education. He was also active with the Tri-State Junior Golf Circuit and was President of the Allied Golf League for several years. Donald was named Lawrence County, Ohio Citizen of the Year in 1994. Survivors include his loving wife and high school sweetheart of 70 years, Mary Lou Norris Sands; his children, Jeffrey Lee (Susan) Sands and Janet Fitzpatrick; a daughter-in-law, Patty Ann Sands; a brother, Herbert Thomas Sands of Baton Rouge, La.; six grandchildren, Eric Fitzpatrick, Ethan Fitzpatrick, Emily Gorby, Jennifer Prall, Shellie Sands and Stacey Sands; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.