David Carlton, Sanford, the son of the late A. David Sanford and Willie Mae Sanford, was a native of Portsmouth, and a product of its public schools. Early in life his musical talents were discovered, as he participated in his church and school musical programs. He participated in church and school musical activities, from elementary through high school.  He graduated early from I. C. Norcom High School in 1944. Continuing his musical training, David attended Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA, and later received the Bachelor of Music Degree and Certi?cate in Voice from Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass.  He continued his education by studying at the graduate level at Boston University.  He studied with renowned musicians such as Cleota Collins, Undine Moore, Edward Molitorie, and Daniel Pinkham. David’s vast musical experiences included singing and playing the bass violin in the USO band during World War II; playing and singing with the band at Fort Meade, and directing the chorus for the 2101st Area Service Unit at Fort Meade, during his Army career.  While studying in Boston, he sang with the Robert Shaw House Chorus, and appeared as soloist in Light Opera, Grand Opera and Oratorios.  He also directed the Youth Choir at St. Mark Congregational Church, and served as a paid soloist in the same parish.   Returning to the Tidewater area, David continued his work in school, church and community.  He was a soloist with Emanuel A.M.E Church Choir; directed the Portsmouth Choral and Opera Society; sang with the Norfolk Cantata Singers; he served as Minister of Music at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Norfolk, and directed Crestwood High School Chorus (1953-1971). In addition to his work at Fellowship United Church of Christ (UCC), he served on both the Homeland & World Ministries’ boards of the United Church of Christ and was active in the UCC Southern Conference and Eastern Virginia Association.  He served as Chairman of the Music Department and as a member of the Administrative Council at Deep Creek High School; Chorus director at Deep Creek Jr. and Sr High Schools and was selected as Chesapeake Teacher of the Year in 1980. He was director of the Portsmouth and Chesapeake Civic Choruses; member and served on the board of the I. Sherman Greene Chorale.  He was the former Basileus of the Zeta Iota chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., served on the Board of Directors of Portsmouth Girls’ Club, the Board of Management of the Ef?ngham Street YMCA, and was past president the Eureka Club of Portsmouth.  As President of the I. C. Norcom Alumni Association was instrumental in lobbying for construction of the new high school.  David Sanford was married to the late Phyllis Sanford and is survived by four children:  Angelo Hunt, New York, NY, David C Sanford II, Arlington VA, Regina Sanford, Norfolk VA,  Lisa Sanford, Charlotte NC.  He was blessed with six grandchildren: Angelo Hunt, Jr., Cachet Hunt, Rehna Hunt, Angelina Hunt, Alexandra Hudson, Kristina Hudson, and a host of other relatives and friends.  In lieu of ?owers the family requests donations to the Fellowship UCC Capital Campaign Fund.