John Sands

John Riley Sands of Commerce, passed away on October 12, 2022 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He was born November 14, 1938 in Commerce, Texas, the son of Lee A. Sands and Nannie Pearl Shirley.  Viewing/visitation will take place Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Commerce Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Commerce.  Interment will follow at Rosemound Cemetery.

He met the love of his life, Marilyn Stringer, in 1958 at a school dance.  They married on November 27, 1959 in Klondike, Texas and were married almost 56 years before she proceeded him in death on May 23, 2015. They had two daughters, Joanna and Dianna, along with five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

John graduated from West Delta High School in Klondike, Texas in 1957. He attended East Texas State University and obtained his bachelor's degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice in 1975.

He began his work career at American Wood in Commerce in 1958 and continued in the industry until 1971. In 1971 he joined the Commerce Police Department where he served as a patrolman, patrol sergeant, Detective, Captain of Detectives and Juvenile Officer until 1974. He then worked for the Hunt County District Attorney’s Office and the Hopkins County District Attorney’s Office until 1980. In July 1980, he formed Sandiver and Associates, a private investigative firm, with long-time friend, Larry Vandiver. They worked together until January 2011 when he formed John Sands Private Investigations following Larry’s retirement. During those years, he also taught at the Texoma Police Academy teaching law enforcement classes.

John was a member of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, National District Attorneys Association, the Texas Prosecutors Council and the North Texas Private Investigators Association where he held many different positions and served on numerous committees.

While law enforcement was a big part of his life, he also had a servant’s heart and loved to give back to his community. He served on the Commerce City Council as a councilman and Mayor from 1992 to 2008, where he was the first Mayor of Commerce to be elected by city-wide vote. His service to the town and county that he loved also led him to serve through the South Sulphur Regional Mobility Association, Northeast Texas Railroad Association, United Way of Hunt County, and the Hunt County Appraisal District.

John is survived by his daughters, Joanna Shamburger and Dianna Hogg (Bob), five grandchildren, Kortni Toon (Damon), Kyle Shamburger (Brandi), Tani Rabe, Carrie Petty and Cristan Shamburger, and six great-grandchildren, Dylan and Halle Toon, Weston, Brooklyn and Kynslee Shamburger, and Axton Rabe. He is also survived by brothers Lee Sands (Jerri), Jackie Sands (Linda) and sister Judy Potts along with numerous nieces, nephews, and honorary children and grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Marilyn Sands, parents Lee Sands and Nannie Sands, sisters Shirley Brown and Peggy Ketner, brothers Owen Sands and Kenneth Sands and son-in-law, Johnny Shamburger.