Sanford A. Taylor, 78, of Akron Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday March 13, 2018.  One of 14 children, Sanford was born on February 4, 1940 in Macon, Georgia to Isaac and Dollie Lee (Redding) Taylor.  Eventually the family moved to South Bend, Indiana by way of Detroit, Michigan.

Sanford graduated from John Adams High School in 1959.  While in high school, he participated in Football (running back) and track (hurdles). While he played sports in high school, Sanford always had a keen eye for shapes, angles, and other aspects of architecture.  This gift drove his decision to attend Chicago Tech School of Engineering after High School where he received his Engineering degree in 1964.

One of the benefits of having many siblings is that it leads to also having a large social network. While attending a party with some of his siblings in South Bend he met the woman who would eventually become the love of his life, Detroit resident Sharon Anderson.  While they spoke, developed a connection, and had a good time during the party, after the party Sharon went back home to Michigan. Eventually they started chatting again and the rest is history.

Sanford Taylor wed Sharon Anderson on July, 1969.  After marriage the couple moved to Akron, Ohio where Sanford was hired an Architect by Firestone Tire and Rubber.  With Sanford working for Firestone and Sharon working as a teacher with Akron Public Schools the couple was blessed with two sons, Jeffery (Jennifer) and Michael (Susann).  Sanford was very committed to faith, family, and fellowship. Thus, he was an active and very involved member of Second Baptist Church. Sanford was always willing to lend a hand to support the church. Many Sundays were spent taking up collections during service and many Saturdays were spent helping out with odd jobs at the church. Sanford was also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a very involved member of the Redding Family Reunion Ohio Branch.  Sanford was also the artist of his family; he did a lot of painting for many of his family members when he was younger.

Sanford worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber for many years before deciding against uprooting his family and moving in 1990 when Firestone moved its based of operation from Akron to Chicago. Upon retiring from Firestone, Sanford used his architectural knowledge to start his own project/design company.  While he loved owning his own company, after a few years he decided to take a job as an architect with the City of Akron. Sanford worked for the City of Akron for 10 years before retiring for good in 2009. Upon retirement, Sanford and Sharon took vacations across the US as well as abroad. Sanford also enjoyed to BBQ as well as spending time with his grandchildren (Jarrett, Jillian, Josie, Elisa, and Mia).

Left behind to carry on his legacy are his beloved wife, Sharon Taylor, two sons Jeffrey (Jennifer) and Michael(Susann) of Akron, Ohio as well as grandchildren Jarrett, Jillian, Josie, Elisa, and Mia; two sisters Mary Ann (Bufford) Hilliard of South Bend, Indiana and Louise (Charles) Green of Texas; five brothers: Reuben (Roberta) Taylor of Detroit, Michigan , Benjamin (Marlene) Taylor and Carl(Marilyn) Taylor of South Bend, Indiana, and James (LaVonne) Taylor of Akron, Ohio; beloved in-laws, Naomi Anderson, Wilma Anderson, James (Cynthia) Anderson of Detroit, Michigan, Marilyn (Richard) Chase and Eric Anderson of Boston Massachusetts, Vera Taylor, of South Bend, Indiana; as well and many nieces, nephews, fraternity brothers, and good friends.

Sanford was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Dollie Taylor: three brothers Benner, David and Joseph Taylor, and four sisters: Lena Beaver, Alice Milon, Ruth Johnson, and Grace Williams.

Tuesday evening March 13, 2018 the Lord greeted Sanford and said “Job well done son, now it’s time to come home”.