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Arnold Alexander Dempsey Jr., lovingly known as Sandy, threw his last completed pass on Saturday afternoon, May 6, 2023. Sandy died peacefully at home, at the age of 83, with family by his side.

Sandy was born July 20, 1939 to his late parents, Frances Beale and Arnold A. Dempsey Sr. After graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he entered the University of Virginia with a full football scholarship. As a quarterback he led the ACC in passing. While at UVA he was on student council, a member of the SAE fraternity, the IMP society, Eli Banana Society and the 7 Society. Sandy graduated with a BA in psychology. He served in the U.S. Army 1961-1963 as a 1st Lieutenant at Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon discharge, Sandy and his family moved to Franklin, where he worked for Union Camp Paper Company. In 1968, he joined Manry-Rawls Insurance Company as vice president and retired in 2008.

Sandy loved playing golf at Cypress Cove Country Club and was club champion in 1985. He has celebrated two holes-in-one there. He was also very involved with the Franklin James L. Camp YMCA and served as a board member. For most of his life, Sandy enjoyed drinks and socializing with his wife, family and friends. He loved his co-workers at Manry-Rawls and kept them entertained (at appropriate times) with stories and jokes. His kindness and generosity were his greatest gifts. Sandy always considered himself to be very fortunate to have survived two very serious health problems enabling him to spend many years with those he loved.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 31 years, Nancy; children, Stacy, Jennifer, Andy (Brenda) and Sam (Katrina); grandchildren, Jake (Maddie), Tess (Ryan), Samantha, Jack, Wilson, and Georgia; stepchildren, Lisa (Ed), Jay (Vicky) and Jill (Walt); stepgrandchildren, Stephen (Jaime), Jesse (Megan), John (Robin), Maria (Chris), Kimberly, Andrew (Kendall) and Rachel; sister, Ann Wyles (Dick); brother-in-law, Jack Anderson; former wife and mother of his children, Gretchen Hopkins. He is predeceased by his two wonderful labs, Hogan and Homer. Mourning his loss in Sandy’s favorite chair is his latest love, labradoodle, Henry.

A graveside service will be held at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, on Monday, May 15, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of Virginia Athletics Foundation, P.O. Box 400833, Charlottesville, VA 22904 or Suffolk Humane Society, 412 Kings Fork Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, Downtown Suffolk Chapel is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.