Marion "Sandy" Sanford Jr.

1941 - 2022

Marion "Sandy" Sanford, Jr.
1941-2022
Marion "Sandy" Sanford Jr., lately known as Rocco, went on ahead on January 27, 2022. Rocco loved this euphemism for death, perhaps because it captured both his spirit of adventure and his love of striking out on his own path. No matter what name you knew him by, he was one of a kind, beloved and memorable.
Sandy was born in Lubbock, Texas, on January 2, 1941. He left there at the first opportunity to attend boarding school on the East Coast. He attended the University of Texas where he became Student Body President and graduated from the UT Law School.
During his long and legendary legal career, Sandy pioneered the practice and role of the lawyer-lobbyist in Texas state government. His work impacted the statutory framework of virtually every area of business, government, and political activity. He achieved recognition as one of the most influential lawyers in the country and was consistently documented as one of the best lobbyists in Texas.
Sandy also brought his singular imprint to his active years in Texas politics. The Tuesday Night Dinner Club for lobbyists and lawmakers he co-hosted was infamous; and when a powerful meeting devolved into arguing without listening, he made good on a promise to do a tripod in the middle of the table until the parties came back to the negotiation.
In 1984, Sandy sobered up. He expanded his world and dug into his passions. He took up scuba diving, loving the feeling of freedom he found in the ocean. A passionate bird hunter, he had a second home at the St. Charles Bay Hunting Club where he spent many early mornings with his dearest friends. His fireworks and misadventures on his airboat are legendary. He sent secret valentines to women in his life and left daily quotes on his answering machine.
In the early 2000s, Sandy renamed himself Rocco. As Rocco, he wore fedoras and learned to love a cat and a dog. He became an accomplished baker delivering sweets to family and friends in times of celebration or sorrow. He traveled the world delighting his companions and locals with his horrible French and worse Italian. He was a beloved grandfather and an active member of the Girls' School of Austin. The rooms of AA echo with his unique perspective and active participation. He was honored to officiate at six weddings.
Rocco was an awesome and beloved father to his two "highly satisfactory daughters." He was proud of the women they became. Rocco called his life partner of the last 26 years his "true love." She loved him fiercely in return.
Rocco had a huge influence on those that knew him, always reminding us to choose our own path. He chose adventure over perfection. He was an eclectic and avid reader from Greek classics to Marvel Comics. He was super smart and superstitious. And he loved deeply. You never doubted that he loved you because he would tell you. He tried every day to do better and be better. He believed in truth and magic. He was both a mentor and a magician in our lives.
Thanks Rocco, our lives were more interesting, colorful, and fun with you in it.
Rocco leaves behind a legacy of people that he loved like family, including his AA community, his SCBHC friends, the PA gang, and his law partner. He will be deeply missed by his brother and family, his ex-wife, his sons-in-laws, his granddaughters, his daughters, and his true love.
We will celebrate his life and his love on April 30th at noon at the Little Darlin' in Austin taking to heart the sign off on his answering machine for decades, "Party On, Dudes".
WWW.WCFISH.COM