ALTAMONT — James Alexander Sands died suddenly and accidentally at home on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

“He was a creative, kind, and the sweetest person you could have known,” his family wrote in a tribute, noting that he was known as James or “Alex” by his friends, classmates, and business associates. “His smile lit up his face and his enthusiasm was infectious. His passions were cycling, hiking, photography, cooking, and the creations of his family’s architectural design/build business.

“He was proud of the community work that he and his family carried out in the village of Altamont. Whether it was hanging up Christmas decorations or the hanging of the flower baskets and placing pots of flowers in the village center. He marveled that his family had been doing this for over 30 years. He always said a touch of beauty goes a long way and saw beauty in everything around him.

“James Alexander also loved traveling around the United States, visiting family and friends, and also his many trips to the British Isles and Europe.

“He also loved the architecture, the culture, and the food he experienced in his travels. He especially loved his family home on Martha’s Vineyard and the new family guest house that he helped build over the past year.

“He always tried to catch every sunset and sunrise whether it was on the Vineyard, in the Village of Altamont, at the Helderberg escarpment or looking west from his Saratoga Springs residence.

“Upon graduation from Guilderland Central High School, he and his dad drove his uncle’s vintage Chevy suburban (10 miles per gallon) across the country to some of the many colleges and universities that he was accepted at: College of Charleston, University of South Carolina, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Baylor, University of Texas, University of Colorado, and the University of Oregon.

“He settled on the University of Mississippi or “Ole Miss,” home of William Faulkner and John Grisham. At Ole Miss, he started the All Ole Miss Cycling Club and enjoyed all things Southeastern Conference football — tailgating, baseball and the camaraderie of the SEC Council. He also was a member of the “Sig Ep” fraternity where he made lifelong friends. He loved the college town of Oxford, Mississippi. After graduation, he traveled and then joined the family design/ build business.”

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James Alexander Sands is survived by his parents, John and Sherry Makepeace-Sands, of Altamont; his brother, Dr. John “Max” Sands and his wife, Dee, and daughter, Sophie Sands, of Raleigh, North Carolina; his sister, Kendra Makepeace Sands and Scott Lindrup of Park Slope-Brooklyn, New York; and his many aunts, uncles and cousins from Florida, New York, Michigan, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Colorado, Alaska, and especially California which he loved.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at the Altamont Reformed  Church at 129 Lincoln Ave. in Altamont, followed by a reception at the church.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.