Mr. Johnny “Sandman” Sands, a consummate newspaper man whose vivid and memorable wordsmithing included coining the term “Arnie’s Army,” among many other gems, entered into rest February 9, 2018.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Platt’s Crawford Avenue Chapel with Rev. Vernon Knight officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will be private.
Sandman was born September 23, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1947-53, writing for a newsletter and other military correspondence. He worked for newspapers in Sarasota and Orlando, Fla., from 1954-58, then moved to Augusta and worked for The Augusta Chronicle from 1958 until his retirement in 1988. His unique and colorful personality delighted his co-workers, who were frequently admonished, “Don’t bug me!” as he rushed to meet his deadlines. His newspaper instincts were unerring and his writing sublime.
He was much loved, particularly by the Alewine and Deriso families, as well as the staff of The Place at Dean’s Bridge Road, his residence the last two years of his life. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
If so desired, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.