Craig Alan Sanford

Craig Alan Sanford, 69, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kansas.

Craig was born on September 20, 1956, in Washington, Kansas, the son of Roy E. and Emma Darlene (Riese) Sanford. Craig grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School in 1974. After high school he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, and achieved his bachelor degree from Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He worked most of his adult life as a power plant operator for the City of Russell and retired after many years of faithful service to the community. He was a longtime member of Otterbein Methodist Church where he could be counted on in helping the church any way possible. His church work included perfoming maintanence duties, cutting the lawn or helping control the sound system for Sunday and funeral services. He enjoyed music, hunting, biking and riding his motorcycle. Most of all he enjoyed helping take care of his friends, church family and people in the community.

Surviving family include his sisters Brenda Miller and husband Gaylon of Bel Aire, Kansas and Lisa Edgar and husband Terry of Overland Park, Kansas; 3 nephews, 1 niece and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Craig’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday May 26, 2026, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Family will greet guests the day of the service. Memorials can be donated to Otterbein Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.