Laurance Rudyerd “Papa” Sandstrom, 73, of Bostic, died Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at Willow Ridge Nursing Center, Rutherfordton.

He was the son of the late Carl Adolph Sandstrom and Bertha Smith Sandstrom.

Larry Sandstrom grew up in Jamestown, N.Y., where he graduated from Jamestown High School. He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. After working for IBM, he went into education. He was a teacher and head of the math department, during this time he served six years in the National Guard. He furthered his education by earning an MBA with a specialization in human resources, from Syracuse University. He moved to Florida to manage an electronics firm and later worked in human resources at Gulf Coast Community College. ,He spent the last 15 years of his career at Daytona State College where he was an associate vice president of human resources.

Larry was a loving husband to Maggie, his wife of more than 50 years. He was a devoted father to his daughters: Kimberly and Melissa, and an extraordinary Papa to his four grandchildren.

He was a man of strong faith, serving as a deacon in his church and taught Sunday school for many years. He was a lover of woodworking, old cars, yard sales, antiques, camping, and good food. Throughout his lifetime, he rescued many dogs who became his constant companions. His final joy was spending his retirement years in the cabin in North Carolina that he lovingly helped build.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Louise Sandstrom; his daughters: Kimberly Louise Alacan and husband, Eddie of DeBary, Fla., and Melissa Louise Reed and husband, Jay of Starkville, Miss.; his two sisters: Judith Lester and husband, James of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Janice Roberg and husband, Dennis of Lakewood, N.Y.; his two brothers: Carl Sandstrom and wife, Sally of Jamestown, N.Y., and Steven Sandstrom and wife Penny of Ventura, Calif. There are four grandchildren: Olivia Louise Morgan and husband, Marcus, Jacob Franklin Reed, Lauren Louise Reed and Emma Louise Alacan.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2019, at First Baptist Church of Bostic. The Rev. Clay Earle will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date at the Richland Cemetery in Richland, N.Y.

The visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, 501 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217.

Online condolences @www.washburndorsey. com.