John Pierpont Sandiford Jr.Memphis , TNLt. Colonel John Pierpont "Buddy" Sandiford Jr. (USAF-Ret.) passed away on October 12, 2016 with his family by his side.He was born on May 31, 1930 in Pensacola, FL, to John Pierpont Sandiford Sr. and Bertha Mae (Shilston) Sandiford. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lillian Bryars. He is survived by his siblings Kenneth Sandiford (Mona) and Mollie Rich (Bob) and numerous nieces and nephews. He served in the United States Air Force for 22 years, completing several tours of duty overseas. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he began his second career in 1978 as an employee of Federal Express Corporation retiring as a Captain in Corporate Aviation in 1999.Buddy received his Associate of Science degree from the University of Florida and went on to receive his Bachelors of Science degree from Florida State University, remaining an avid Seminole fan. He also received his Master's degree from California State College San Bernardino, with specialization in counseling and in teaching special needs children.While at FSU, he met the love of his life and future bride, Barbara Barnett. They were married in 1954 and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. John and Barbara have 4 children, John Sandiford (Carla), Barbara Quinones (Renan), Karen Roberson (Charles), and Linda Sandiford. They have 5 grandchildren; Allie Quinones; Richard Sandiford; Ethan, Evan and Emma Roberson; and one great grandchild, Cambria Rose Glaze.Buddy enjoyed "ciphering" and flying, and was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the FAA in 2008. He was an active member of Hope Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS where he served as a deacon and a Sunday school class teacher for many years.A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, at 11 a.m. at Hope Baptist Church (6800 Center Hill Road Olive Branch, MS 38654) with an interment at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida on October 19.The family requests flowers be sent to the church, or a donation made to Hope Baptist Church, Olive Branch in memory of Buddy Sandiford.