Larry Jones Sands, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6,2026, in Gainesville, Florida. Larry is predeceased by his parents, Raymond and LeVerne Sands, and his older brother, Billy R. Sands. Larry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn M. (Lyn) Sands, son Bryan S. Sands (Michelle), grandchildren Brynna M. Sands, Brayden M. Sands, and Braxton M. Sands; brother Gary G. Sands (Patsy), brother-in-law Kirby A. McDonald (Dot), sister-in-law Annette W. Sands; nephews, Matthew P. Sands (Lisa), Michael B. McDonald (Cheri), nieces Dana S. O'Quinn (Johnny), Britany S. Cree (Brian), and Mary M. LaMotte (Marc); and cousins Robert E. Jones (Peggy), Kenny Sands, Roger Sands (Ruchie), Lynn S. Bennett and Leila S Brannen and numerous great nephews and great nieces.

Larry was born in Alma, Georgia on November 17, 1947, and lived through the age of five in the farming community of Glennville, Georgia, in the home of his grandfather, CK Sands and grandmother, Rosa K. Sands. His family then moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he graduated from J. Ribault Senior High School in 1966. He attended Florida Junior College at Jacksonville before enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves Field Hospital unit and trained as an operating room specialist in 1968. In 1970, Larry married Marilyn McDonald (Lyn) and transferred to Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Larry graduated from FSU in 1972 with a degree in Criminology and a minor in accounting. He was hired by the US Treasury Department as a Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service and assigned to the Miami, Florida office. Larry worked in the Criminal Investigation Division in Miami for 18 years. During those 18 years, he was given the nickname of "Catfish" by some of his coworkers. He enjoyed working on many projects, assignments, and specialized money laundering cases.

In 1990, Larry transferred to the Gainesville field office of IRS/CID and continued his case work for 14 more years. In 2004, he retired and began his consulting business in the area of money laundering and bank fraud for eight years.

Larry loved being with other people, talking and sharing his faith in God with them. He will be missed by his family and many friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Community Christian Church 345 Southeast Palmetto Ave. Keystone Heights, Florida. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation by check to Kingmaker Ministries 11306 Oak Drive Riverview, FL 33578.

Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. Walker Dr., Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352)473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com