Dr. Doug Sanford, DVM, died in Waco, Texas on February 8, 2024.
Known to most people as Doc, Douglas Arthur Sanford was born into a long line of dairy farmers on September 22, 1950, in Belvidere, Illinois to Dean and Evelyn Sanford. The family lived in Illinois and Missouri before moving to San Antonio in 1965. Doug graduated from Lee High School in 1968. He attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, where he met his future wife and made many lifelong friends, before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1970.
Doug married Linda Bergmann on December 28, 1971, in Boerne, Texas at St. John Lutheran Church. The young couple moved to California, where Doug continued his Marine Corps service, eventually becoming a Captain. In 1974, Doug began his studies at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He earned a BS in Animal Science in 1976 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1980.
Doc worked as a veterinarian in Mabank and Pearsall before he bought Fairfield Veterinary Hospital in Fairfield, Texas in 1982. Over the next 40 years, Doc grew Fairfield Veterinary Hospital into a thriving mixed-animal practice. He treated large and small animals at the office and on calls around the county, and he was easily spotted in his blue Ford pickup truck with the white vet box in the bed.
In addition to the practice, Doc loved developing his herd of Red Angus and Beefmaster cattle at his ranch near Streetman. He served the community as a Fairfield school board member, on the Fairfield city council, and through the Freestone County Republican party, among others.
He loved working on his ranch, cheering for Aggie sports, and spending time with his family, especially. his grandkids, who loved their Grandpa Doc.
Doc was preceded in death by his father, Dean Sanford, and brothers Jeff and David. He is survived by his wife, Linda Sanford of Fairfield; children Carrie (Benjamin) Kolodziej of Richardson, Daryl (Molly) Sanford of Atlanta, Georgia, and son Daniel (fiancé Kristen Mayfield) Sanford of Plano; grandchildren Frances, Posey, and Andrew Sanford of Atlanta, Georgia; mother, Evelyn Sanford of New Braunfels; sisters Judy (Kenny) King of Floresville, Patricia (Tom) Clark of Killeen, and Laura (Russ) McFall of New Braunfels; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Memorial Service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 10, 2024 with burial in Cade Cemetery. Capps Memorial Chapel was in charge of funeral arrangements. In memory of Doug, please consider making a donation to Wounded Warriors or other veteran organizations.
