James Ray Sanford, Sr., age 84, passed away on February 2, 2022. He was born in Cumberland City, Tennessee on January 3, 1938. James was an original member of the Cheatham County rescue squad, a former deputy for the Cheatham County Sheriff's Department, and a retired maintenance worker for A.O. Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mollie Sanford, his son, James Ray Sanford, Jr, and ex-wife, Bonnie Sanford. He is survived by his daughters, Brenda Sanford and Linda Harrington; grandchildren, Shawnna (Tommy) Bradbury, Chasity (Jeff) Feather, Terry (Katie) DuRard Jr. and Fallon (Ben) Felts; great-grandchildren, Dylan Branum, Dakota Branum, Jacob Hughes, Brittany Bradbury, Alyssa Bradbury, Dusty Binkley, Shelby Binkley, Austin Binkley, Dalana DuRard, Toni DuRard, Mason Miller, Savannah Padgett-Saylor, Austin Padgett-Saylor , Zachary Padgett, and Nylyah Saylor; great-great grandson, Kevin Parker Bradbury; and devoted caregiver Angelene Saylor. Funeral service will be Saturday, February 5th, 2022, at 1pm in the chapel with Pastor Chris Moore officiating. Burial will follow in EverRest of Cheatham in Pleasant View, Tennessee. Visitation will also be Saturday, February 5th, from 10am until the hour of service. Serving as pallbearers will be Terry DuRard, Jr., Austin Binkley, Dylan Branum, Dakota Branum, Jacob Hughes, and Terry DuRard, Sr. Cheatham County Funeral Home, LLC 615-792-2552 on-line condolences at www.cheathamcountyfh.com