Richard Sandoval (12-12-11)

GAINESVILLE - Richard Sandoval, 68, died Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta.

He was born March 3, 1943 in Detroit, Mich., and was the son of Alfonso and Consuelo Sandoval. Upon graduating from high school he attended Wayne State University in Detroit, and then went to work at Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where he worked 23 years before leaving the company as Manager of Technical Training. He then became a consultant to the telecommunications industry. He later became a contract training developer and instructor with Ameritech, where he met his future wife, Joyce. They were married in Texas on Valentine’s Day in 2002, where they lived briefly, before making Gainesville their home.

In 1983 Richard became ill with a heart that wouldn't work properly, but it definitely was a heart filled with love and caring and he had a strong desire to help others in similar circumstances. He became a member of Mended Hearts with Northeast Georgia Medical Center and gave endless hours of kind words, answers, and encouragement to those who were suffering with heart related problems. He was very dedicated to Mended Hearts and served as president of the Gainesville chapter for two years.

Survivors include his loving wife, Joyce Marie White-Sandoval; daughters, Mary, Susan, and Elizabeth; son, Albert; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; stepson, Jeffrey Roberts, brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Colleen Bittner and Glenn and Donna Nelson; special cousins, Lloyd and Mary Lou Shultz; and many cherished friends who loved him and his love of life.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, December 12, from the chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home with Chaplain Jeff Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that contributions be made in Richard’s name to Mended Hearts Chapter 302, In Care of Volunteer Services, 743 Spring St., Gainesville, GA 30501

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.