Sanford “Sandy” Shell, 79, passed away on June 28, 2026, at his home in Jacksonville, FL, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on August 14, 1946, in Norfolk, VA, the son of Sanford Forrest Shell and the artist Marie Boyd Shell. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Diana. He leaves behind his children, Robert Forrest Shell (Laura) and Laura Lee Ballard (Mike); grandchildren Hannah Lee Kelly (Noah), Nickolas Sanford Kelly, and Dane Robert Shell; and great-grandson Grayson Charles Hicks. Also left behind is his dearest companion, Colleen Encinosa-Wong, whose steadfast love, remarkable devotion, and selfless care transformed his life for the better and became a source of strength and comfort not only to him but to his entire family. Finally, Janet Jefferson Hastings, Heather Carroll, and Therese Brine, cherished companions whose friendship, kindness, and support added immeasurably to his happiness.

Sandy graduated from the University of Georgia in 1970 and was a lifelong Dawgs fan. He made Atlanta, GA, his home before joining his father at Shell Office Systems in Jacksonville, FL, in 1973. He was a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves and Jacksonville Jaguars.

A gracious and generous host, Sandy delighted in bringing people together, feeding them, and sending them home with even more food for later. His deck parties, Jaguars’ London Games, and firepit nights were legendary and will remain treasured memories among all who attended. Sandy was an exceptional storyteller who could captivate any room. Whether recounting his brief stint as a bootlegger in college or sharing stories from his years in business, his humor and charm would draw his audience in, leaving them hanging on every word while waiting for the payoff at the end. He was a popular and much loved Golden Member of the Florida Tackle & Gun Club, where he enjoyed listening to the jukebox and catching up with friends.

Though Sandy called Jacksonville home for over 50 years, his heart was always in the North Georgia mountains, where he grew up a country boy, fly fishing, swimming, and exploring.

Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Shell family.