Steven Sanderford

Steven William Sanderford, born on January 13, 1986, in Jacksonville, NC, passed away on September 12, 2025, at the age of 39. Steven had the biggest heart, always taking care of everyone around him. He was a proud organ donor, ensuring that even in death, he could continue to help others. While he may have been needlessly taken too soon, it's safe to say he lived life on his own schedule-though we're still not entirely sure he ever figured out how to read a clock.

A memorial service for Steven will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Jacksonville NC on Saturday September 20, 2025 at 10:00 am. In honor of Steven, we ask that his guests wear his favorite color green.

From a young age, Steven exhibited a remarkable curiosity and talent for understanding how things worked. At just three years old, he famously took apart his mother's radio and put it back together, a sign of the mechanical genius that would define much of his life. His interests were as varied as they were profound, encompassing everything with a motor, from cars to motorcycles, as well as welding and knife making. These pursuits were not just hobbies but expressions of his boundless creativity and skill.

His family and friends knew him as a man who would go out of his way to make sure they were safe and happy. Steven was a wonderful son, brother, cousin, nephew, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He was a hard worker and a loving, caring man with a knack for bringing laughter into any room, even if he occasionally showed up fashionably late (or early, depending on his interpretation of time).

Surviving him are his father and best friend, Billy Ray Sanderford, and his mother, Margot Sanderford, who will miss his forehead kisses dearly. His sister, Sara Ann Sanderford; his sister-in-law, Rosemarie Sanderford; and his beloved nieces and nephews, James, Eddie, Kaitlyn, Autumn, and Lexie. His loyal dogs, Maze and Chaos, will miss his presence dearly. Steven's extended family, including his aunts and uncles Michael and Suzanne Sanderford, Billy and Mary Hanson, and Peter and Jade Hanson, along with his cousins Michael Jr., Elizabeth, Rebecca, Hillary, Evan, Dana, and Nicholas, all carry forward his legacy of warmth and generosity.

Preceded in death by his brother, Andrew James Sanderford, Steven now joins him in eternal peace. His great friends, who brought joy and laughter into his life, will deeply feel his absence.

Steven's life was a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all of the importance of living with purpose and compassion. Steven William Sanderford may have taken his final ride, but his memory will forever cruise through the hearts of those who knew and loved him.