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Dalton Sandifer, animation writer for 'Jetsons,' other cartoons, dies at 89
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More from Conejo ValleyThousand Oaks resident Dalton B "Sandy" Sandifer, an animation writer whose career spanned several decades and included such cartoon series as "The Jetsons" and "The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour," died April 16 at his home. He was 89.
Sandifer died of natural causes, said Dawn Pearson, a granddaughter.
After working as a technical illustrator for North American Aviation, Sandifer got his first break in animation when he was hired in the late 1950s by Walter Lanz Co. His first on-screen credit was in 1957 for "Round Trip to Mars," a Woody Woodpecker cartoon.
In the 1960s, he began working for Hanna-Barbera Productions, initially writing for the "Loopy DeLoop" series and later for shows such as "The Secret Squirrel Show," "Samson and Goliath," "Magilla Gorilla" and "The Adam Ant Show."
A Thousand Oaks resident since 1965, Sandifer commuted to Hollywood, Burbank and Los Angeles and worked from his home as a freelancer.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, he was the second son of Onnie Leon Sandifer and Rilla Irene Strickland. His older brother died at a young age, and Dalton was raised as an only child. When he was 2, the family moved to California. He attended schools in Culver City and Los Angeles, Pearson said.
"Rilla showered her only son with love and support, and he grew up with a flair for humor and a passion for cartoons," Pearson said.
He enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 2, 1942, and served in San Diego, working with visual training aids. After an honorable discharge, he worked as a commercial artist in Los Angeles.
His survivors include his wife, Anita; stepsons Gene, Denny, Patrick and Timothy and their families; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held after 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sandifer home in Thousand Oaks. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity.
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