All Obituaries from Mueller Funeral Home

The Rev. James Allen Sands

Name: Visitation
Start: 01/18/2016 10:00 AM
End: 01/18/2016 11:00 AM
Location: Mueller Funeral Home

January 31, 1947 — January 11, 2016

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The Rev. James Allen Sands, age 68, of West Chester, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 11, 2016. He was born Friday, January 31, 1947 in Ironton, Ohio to Donald Allen and Mary Lou (nee Norris) Sands.

James was a 1965 graduate of Ironton High School and a 1969 graduate of Ohio State University where he majored in history and english. Prior to earning his Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theology School of Ohio in Delaware in 1973, James worked at the Campbell Soup Company in Nebraska. It was here that he became the "Top Man" being responsible for placing the tops on pot pies. James began his ministry with the West Ohio United Methodist Conference in 1972 serving churches in Gallia County. Having majored in history, he sent a historical article to the Gallipolis Tribune in 1975 which was published. For 34 years following that first article, James wrote a weekly historical article.   While serving the Barlow Charge, he met his sweetheart, Patty Ann (nee Brackenridge) Sands who survives him. They were married on Sunday, March 20, 1977. The Rev. Sands served the West Ohio United Methodist Conference for 38 years, serving churches in Ross, Gallia, Highland, Defiance, Perry, Morgan, Muskingum and Warren Counties. When he retired in June 2008 from W.O.C. he served 3 churches on the NorwichCharge in the East Ohio United Methodist Conference for 4 more years, serving a total of 41 years in the ministry. As a retired minister, James attended the Mason United Methodist Church.

James is survived by: his loving wife of 38 years, Patty Ann Sands; parents, Donald A. and Mary Lou Sands; daughters, Jennifer Dawn (husband, Jason) Prall and Shellie Annette (husband, Youssouff Fall) Sands-Fall; grandchildren, Anthony Michael Prall, Alyssa Joy Prall, Matthew James Prall and Mohamed Fall; brother, Jeff (wife, Susan) Sands; sister, Jan Fitzpatrick; nieces, Emily Fitzpatrick- Gordy, Stacey Sands- Neiheisel; nephews Eric Fitzpatrick and Ethan Fitzpatrick.
James was preceded in death by his daughter, Joy Andrea Sands in 1995.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, Ohio 45040. A second visitation will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Mason United Methodist Church, 6315 S. Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040. A Funeral Service will follow on Monday at 11:00 am at the Church. James will be laid to rest with other family members in Veto Cemetery, Veto, Ohio.

Donations in memory of The Rev. James Allen Sands may be directed to Mason United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice. Send condolences to MuellerfuneralS.com

Below is a list of counties in Ohio Rev. Sands served showing the number of churches within those charges:
Ross County:                      Massieville Charge
Clarksburg Charge

Gallia County:                    Thurman Charge

Washington County:           Barlow Charge

Highland County:               Rainsboro Charge

Muskingum County:           Crooksville Charge
Perry/Morgan County:

Defiance County:             Ayersville UMC
Warren County:               Springboro UMC
Pickaway County:             Circleville UMC

Muskingum County:          Zanesville UMC

East Ohio:                        Norwich Charge

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