Colleagues in the Alabama House of Representatives have had to say goodbye twice to former State Rep. Howard Sanderford.
Once, when he announced he would not run again for a seventh term in 2022, and now, as he died Wednesday in Huntsville at age 90.
Sanderford was always known as one of the kinder, gentler legislators. He would listen to citizens and politicians, even if disagreeing on an issue.
For years, he was active in a weekly prayer breakfast of legislators hosted by ALCAP, Alabama Citizen Action Program.
Sanderford represented District 20, comprising most of Southeast Huntsville.
He had been born in Meridian, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University in accounting. He served in the U.S. Marines. Semper Fi.
Sanderford started his career at IBM. Later, he helped to start Computer Leasing Company, Inc., becoming President.
Being a representative from Huntsville, Sanderford naturally took a strong interest in the aerospace industry. He served on the Alabama Commission on Aerospace Sciences and the U.S.Space and Rocket Center.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center released this statement:
“We are saddened by the passing of former Alabama Rep. Howard Sanderford, a dedicated public servant and longtime member of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Commission.
Rep. Sanderford served for 33 years in the Alabama legislature and was appointed to our board in 2009 by Gov. Bob Riley. He also served as an ex-officio member of the Rocket Center Education Foundation. As a legislator, he championed Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama (SALSA), which provides scholarships for two middle-school students in every Alabama legislative district to attend Space Camp each year.
He and his wife, Dot, also were generous supporters of the Rocket Center, donating scholarships for teachers to attend Space Academy for Educators among other efforts. We are grateful for his many years of support and friendship, and we send our sincere condolences to his family.”
One of the youngest state legislators, State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), now holds the seat left by Sanderford. He shared a message on Thursday about what Sanderford meant to him.
“Saddened by the loss of my predecessor in the Alabama House, Howard Sanderford,” Lomax wrote. “His dedication to the state, the community, and his family ran incredibly deep.”
“From working on his campaigns to coordinating resolutions for our mutual Rotary Club, Howard was always kind to me and a statesman above all else. He will be greatly missed.”
Alabama Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden said, “Alabama has lost one of the best individuals that has served this great State.”
The most exciting point of Sanderford’s political career came in the 2010 elections.
There was a hot issue about the City of Huntsville in the southern part of the county. He drew one opponent who was a Young Republican and another who was an officer in the Republican Women. Nevertheless, Sanderford drew 57% of the vote, winning without a runoff.
Arrangements will be announced.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected].
