Gerald (Jerry) Sanders, 75, of Hazen was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas on April 5, 1940. He entered his new eternal life with family by his side on June 18, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He never met a stranger or was short on words. He was a friend of Jesus Christ and taught Sunday school most of his adult life. He loved his family with all of his heart and always lived life to the fullest. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961 on the U.S.S. Moale as a boilerman. He retired from the Army National Guard and Pine Bluff Arsenal. He married Martha Taylor in 2003 after losing his first wife, Jean Forrester Sanders to heart complications.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Dorothy Sanders; sister, Shirley Tubbs McFarlin, and first wife, Jean.
He is survived by wife, Martha; daughter, Lanan (Rick) Adams of Cabot; sons, Shane (Sherri) Sanders of Vilonia and Jerry Lynn Sanders of Fayetteville; nine grandchildren, Rosa-mae, Alex, Shana, Candace, Madison, Becky, Janson, Carson and Grayson and many other family members and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, June 19, 2015 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. A service celebrating his wonderful life will be 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 20, at the First Baptist Church in De Valls Bluff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Gideon’s International.
Lanan, Shane, Jerry Lynn & families, my thoughts & prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Mr. Jerry was a wonderful man whom everyone liked. He always had a kind word & a smile. God received a treasure in Mr. Jerry. My God’s love get each of you thru this most difficult time. Many prayers, my God Bless each of you. Jennifer
Miss Martha, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you!
Shane, Sherry and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.
You know, Jerry wasn’t only a good soldier, he was a good friend. I remember we had an hour set aside on Sunday Mornings during drill for religious services. Quite often we didn’t have a Chaplain, so guess who filled in. Not only did Jerry love talking to people about God, he lived the life. He was the kind of friend that you could depend upon when needed. He will be missed by so many, Prayers for you Martha and the family. You know we’ve enjoyed that special laugh that Jerry had, and I guess God decided it was his time to have Jerry right there with him, so he could also hear that special laugh one on one.
So sorry for your loss. I remember Jerry well. He was always friendly with everyone and always took the time to talk to you. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.
So sorry for your loss. We just learned of this news today and was saddened to hear. Jerry was a friendly full of life cheerful man! God bless you all!
We are so sorry for your loss you all be in our prayers is there anything we can do let is know Love you Tity Joseph Rebecca Amanda & Mamaguita
Martha – so very sorry for your loss. I’ll be remembering you in my prayers during this difficult time.