Alexandru Popescu

Alexandru ("Sandu") Popescu, age 96, passed away peacefully on July 05, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and his feline companion, Mimi.

Sandu was born on June 27, 1930, in Butculești, Romania, the youngest and only son among four children. Raised by parents who valued education, faith, and service, he carried those principles throughout his life. His father was a teacher and associate pastor for the town’s Christian Orthodox Church, and his mother was a devoted homemaker.

After completing high school, Sandu joined the Romanian Air Force, where he rose through the ranks to become a Captain and squadron commander before the age of 30. Following his military service, he pursued higher education at the University of Bucharest, earning a law degree and beginning a distinguished career as an attorney. He spent much of his professional life serving city governments throughout Romania, providing legal counsel and public service until his retirement following the Romanian Revolution of 1989.

In 1962, Sandu married the love of his life, Angela. Their story began on a hot summer day when Angela, then an agronomist, animal scientist, and manager of a collective farm, arrived at City Hall to report a water outage affecting her livestock. Sandu took responsibility for the matter, and just three weeks later, they were married. Their marriage was marked by devotion, partnership, and enduring love for more than four decades.

Together they raised their daughter, Camelia. Through Camelia's academic career, Sandu and Angela eventually became part of a growing family that stretched across continents. In 2007, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to live with their daughter, son-in-law Jim Knapp, and grandchildren Sylvana and Emilie. Shortly after their arrival, Angela passed away, a loss Sandu carried with quiet strength and dignity.

Sandu became a United States permanent resident in 2011 and moved with the family to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 2018. He treasured his role as father, grandfather, and great source of wisdom and humor for his family and friends. He especially enjoyed watching his granddaughters, Sylvana and Emilie, grow into accomplished young women. He also found lasting companionship with his beloved cat, Mimi, whose permanent presence brought him comfort and joy.

Those who knew Sandu will remember a man of intelligence, discipline, resilience, and deep loyalty. He lived through extraordinary chapters of history, being born under the short-lived Romanian Monarchy of King Michael, subject to the takeover of Communism as a teenager in 1945 and witnessing its fall in 1989. He served his country, practicing law, raising a family, and beginning a new life in America during his later years. Through every stage of life, he remained devoted to family and was guided by a strong sense of duty and honor.

Sandu was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Angela Popescu. He is survived by his daughter, Camelia Knapp and her husband, Jim Knapp; his granddaughters, Sylvana Knapp and Emilie Knapp; extended family in Romania and in the United States; and many friends whose lives were enriched by his kindness, wit, wisdom, and steady presence.

Visitation will be held in Stillwater, OK, on Wednesday, July 8, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Strode Funeral Home & Cremation.

A funeral service celebrating Sandu's life will be held in Columbia, SC, on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Thompson Funeral Homes Chapel (845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209), followed by interment next to Angela. A Celebration of Life with friends and families will follow at M Space in the Vista (530 Lady Street, Suite A, Columbia, SC 29201) starting at ~ 3:00 pm.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers, friends, and family members who supported Sandu throughout his later years. Sincere appreciation is extended to everyone at Golden Oaks Village, Legacy Village of Stillwater, Stillwater Creek Skilled Nursing & Therapy, and Stillwater Medical Center Home Health and Hospice. During the last eight years of Sandu's life, these remarkable caregivers walked alongside him with extraordinary compassion, respect, and friendship.

Sandu's life was one of service, perseverance, and unconditional love for his family. Although he will be deeply missed, his legacy will continue through the generations that follow him, the values he instilled, and the lives he touched. May his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the OK 529 College Savings Funds for Sandu's cherished two granddaughters can be made through the Ugift website (https://www.ugift529.com/) with the following codes for Sylvana (L03-Y0L) and Emilie (W3B-F4G), honoring his lifelong commitment to family and education.