Gerald Sandstrom

Gerald Ray Sandstrom (Jerry), our loving husband, wonderful dad and grandpa, beloved brother, uncle, neighbor and friend, passed away in Santaquin, Utah on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was at home with his sweetheart of 64 years and was watching his favorite BYU Cougars play football. He was 83 years old.

Jerry was born on March 2, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Alonzo August and VeRue Tullis Sandstrom who were living in the small town of Eureka, Utah. Jerry was proud to be from Eureka and was always delighted to return – especially to hunt for Christmas trees with his family.

Following his father’s unexpected passing, Jerry’s family moved to Provo where he attended Brigham Young High School. It was while he was living in Provo that he met the love of his life, LeeAnn Buchanan. They were married in 1962, and in 1963, were sealed in the Manti Utah Temple.

Jerry served in the US Army and Army Reserves until 1969 when he was honorably discharged. Prompted by the desire for a career that would provide well for his family, he then attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a BS in Accounting. After working several years in this field in New Mexico and in Nevada, his interests evolved beyond accounting, and he sought another line of work.

He was hired by Nevada Development Authority where he enjoyed great professional and personal fulfillment as an Economic Developer, a position he held for 23 years. He then worked for the State of Nevada as the Deputy Director of Economic Development before his retirement. Jerry thrived in this profession, in part because he genuinely enjoyed meeting new people and building lasting relationships with many friends and business colleagues.

Jerry was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had an abiding testimony of the Savior and a desire to live the gospel as a faithful disciple of Christ. He served in various capacities in the church, spent many years in Scouting, and cherished his years serving as Bishop and as a counselor in the Stake Presidency where he found great joy working with the youth.

Jerry was known to be a tease and for his jokes and stories, and he got immense pleasure out of making someone smile. Some of his interests in life were camping, photography, and traveling to explore new parts of the country and the world.

With all that he valued in his life, his most important interests and greatest loves were right at home: his treasured family. When he and LeeAnn finally relocated back to Utah 10 years ago, he was thrilled to live closer to his children and grandchildren and appreciated every chance to be together.

Jerry is survived by his sweetheart of 64 years, LeeAnn Buchanan Sandstrom; his four children Jeff (Lisa) Sandstrom, Jodi (Ranger Rick) Nielsen, Justin (Rayann) Sandstrom, and Jeremy (Aislinn) Sandstrom; a very GRAND number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; his younger sister, Charlene Stutz, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and VeRue Sandstrom, his in-laws, Clarence and Naomi Buchanan, and his siblings, Marguerite Adams, David Sandstrom, and John Sandstrom, as well as many other beloved extended family members.

The family will be forever grateful to the expert healthcare providers who attended to Jerry’s needs over the last five years; in particular, the entire team at the IHC wound and hyperbaric center, his PCP, Dr. Wesley Bott, and his home health nurse, Rebecca Webb, all of whom he considered to be cherished friends.

Despite the serious health challenges Jerry endured the last five years, whenever anyone asked how he was doing, his classic response was, “Never had a bad day!” In that spirit, you are encouraged to wear bright, cheerful colors to make this a joyful celebration of Jerry’s life!

An evening visitation will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel located at 591 Summit Ridge Parkway, Santaquin, Utah.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00am with a visitation prior from 9:30 to 10:30am, at the same location.

Following the memorial services, interment with military honors will be in the Santaquin City Cemetery, 100 E 300 S, Santaquin, UT 84655.

For those unable to attend in person, the memorial services can be watched at brownfamilymortuary.com.