Gaylord Sanders

Gaylord (Sandy) Sanders, 89 of Shawnee, OK passed from this life on Friday, November 24, 2017 in his home. Graveside services will be held at 10am, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Dale, OK cemetery. Pastor Larry Townsend will officiate. Family visitation with friends and family will be Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Sandy was born in Cove, AR on July 9, 1928 to Victor Gale and Gracie (Providence) Sanders. He attended and graduated from Dale Public School. He joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a seaman until 1949. He served on the USS Sierra. He married Roberta Jean Roberts on September 19, 1949 in Cleveland, OK. In 1950 he joined the United States Air Force. Sandy was a Staff Sargent when he left the Air Force in 1954. He worked at Tinker Air Force Base from 1954 until 1971 as an aircraft mechanic and from 1971 to 1983 as an equipment specialist for the E3A aircraft. After his retirement he was a cross country truck driver for Miller and Cherokee truck lines. He retired from truck driving in 2001.Sandy was a member of the Lakeview Church of Christ. He worshiped at Central and Dale congregations before Lakeview. He served as a Deacon and Youth Director at Central Church of Christ. At Dale and Lakeview he drove the Joy bus. He also served as a church camp director at Beaver’s Bend while he was at the Dale congregation. Sandy loved children and was a mentor to numerous children over the years.He was an avid NASCAR fan and loved watching football. Sandy’s children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. He loved to take them camping and deer hunting. He always had stories to tell about his sons and grandchildren when they were at deer camp. But, of course not all the stories, because “what happens at deer camp stays at deer camp”. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, in 2006; his parents; 1 brother, Billy; and 3 sisters, his twin Velma Marie McKinney, Betty Reed and LaJuana Maddox.He is survived by 3 sisters, Audrey Hollingsworth of Shawnee, Evelyn Sanders of the home and Elizabeth Harris and husband John of Edmond.Sandy leaves a legacy on this earth. He is survived by 8 children and their spouses, Sherri Sanders and husband Curt of Milburn, Eddie Reed and wife Becky of Shawnee, Ruth Pittser of Mannford, Tom Sanders and wife Debbie of McLoud, Sheila Hutson and husband Warren of Shawnee, Richard Sanders of Shawnee, Teresa Barnett and husband Daryl of Shawnee, and Debra Sanders and husband Wesley of Shawnee.29 grandchildren and their spouses: Blake and Kimberly Dean, Justin Dean, Analisa and Greg Beal, Brandy Howell and husband James, Mykah and Alex Schaffer, Tanner and Amanda Bourne, Shanda and Matt Flowers, Jeffrey and Dawn Reed, Brandon and Alisa Reed, Tinika Young, Sean Christenberry, Stacey and Larry Freeman, Shaun Petty, Betty Jean Sanders, Jane and Carl Valentine, Jacob and Catherine Hutson, Jacie and Kyle Frederick, Alex and Lisa Barnett, Matthew and Jenna Barnett, Garrett and Cindy Barnett, Connor, Keylie, Corbin, Maverick, Jasper, Harlow, Eli, and Max Barnett, and Taylor Sanders.Great grandchildren, Jack and Paige Dean, Brittley Dean, Bryce and Kinzee Beal, Keegan Schaffer, Ava Bourne, Lauren York, Joley, Grayden, Christian, and Reed Flowers, Cale Reed, Ava, Liana, and Luke LeClaire, Naomi and Bear Reed, Draven, Cyrus, and Aiden Young, Chase Hutcheson, Jariah, Madelyn, and Levi Freeman, Cayson Petty, Nero and Sarai Hutson, Exzaviyen, Za’covey, and Piper Barnett, Logan, Landon, and Sawyer Barnett, Jasmine and “Lil” Connor Barnett, Odin Sanders and 1 great-great-grandson, Hendrix York.He is also survived by his girlfriend of 9 years, Zoetta Baxter and her family; as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.Sandy answered to many names during his life time; Husband, Daddy, Papa, Pops, Uncle Bud, and Friend were just a few. No matter what you called him,he was loved and will be missed by so many.