Cynthia Branaman Peyton

                              SANFORD LEE PEYTON

Sanford Lee Peyton, age 69, died peacefully on May 16, 2015 at the UK Markey Cancer Center following a valiant four year battle against  T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia. 

Born January 6, 1946 in Lee County, Kentucky to the late  James Leland Peyton and Bonnie Whisman Peyton, he graduated from Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky in 1963 and from the University of Kentucky in 1967.  On November 18, 1967, Sanford married Cynthia Branaman Peyton. He served as a Lieutenant in the Army,  with active combat duty in Vietnam, until 1970,  earning a Bronze Star. While in Phy Loi, Vietnam, he organized a welfare program for Lai Thieu Deaf Mute School.

Sanford began his successful banking career in Louisville as an Assistant Manager for Liberty National Bank in 1970. In 1988 he transitioned to Liberty National Bank of Owensboro, Kentucky where he ultimately earned the title of Chairman of the Board, CEO and President. He retired in 2004, as the Regional Executive for the Southern Region, President and CEO of Old National Bank in Owensboro. 

Sanford was a member of Lyndon Baptist Church of Louisville and subsequently First Baptist Church of Owensboro. Over many decades, he served in numerous positions including Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Chairman of Deacons. 

Sanford will be especially remembered for his love of family. He treasured the roles of husband, father and grandfather above all else. He was a master gardener, designing unique landscapes of flowers, rocks, ponds and fountains. Sanford enjoyed long distance running and ultra-marathon bicycling. 

Survivors include Sanford’s wife of 47 years, Cynthia Branaman Peyton of Nicholasville; daughter Leigh Peyton Mikovch (Andrew), of Bowling Green; son David Keith Peyton (Sara) of Morehead; Grandchildren, Katie and Emily Mikovch, Riley, Natalie and Jack Peyton; his special Mother-in-law, Suella Branaman;   His  siblings, Patricia Ann Pennington (George) of Frankfort, Corbett “Butch” Lawrence (Janet) of Lexington, and Marcus Lynn (Lea) of Paducah; and many nieces and nephews.

Sanford was preceded in death by father,  mother,  and brother James Lloyd Peyton.

Sanford’s family has been, and will be, eternally grateful to Nate Longfellow of Dallas, Texas for his selfless donation of bone marrow stem cells for the transplant on May 22, 2012. Nate’s sacrifice prolonged Sanford’s life an additional three years, allowing Sanford to watch his children and grandchildren grow as beautifully as his garden.

Special thanks to the health care professionals at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and The Ohio State University James Cancer Center for exceptional and compassionate care during the last four years. 

Visitation will be held at Kerr Brothers, 3421 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY  on Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30,  with a memorial service immediately following .  

Memorial contributions are welcome to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation, 800 Rose Street, Roach Bldg-CC160, Lexington, KY 40536-0093 or online at www.ukmarkey.org.