James Sanders

SCOTT CITY, Mo. - James Richmond Sanders, 78, of Winter Park, Fla., formerly of Scott City, Mo., died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001, at his home in Florida.

He was born Nov. 22, 1922, in Fornfelt, Mo., the son of Henry W. and Hulda F. Sander Sanders. He married Virginia Gibson on May 4, 1946, and she preceded him in death. In 1969 he married Nancy St. Germain.

Sanders grew up on a farm near Commerce, Mo. He was educated in the public schools in Commerce, and was a graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park.

He began his longtime military career during World War II, serving with the Marines in the Pacific Theater. During the Korean Conflict, he was with the Army. He retired with the rank of senior master sergeant from the Air Force after 28 years of service, which included two tours of duty during the Vietnam War.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Susan Yvonne Sanders of Wichita, Kan.; two step-sons, Michael Williams of Wichita and Daniel Malek of Winter Park; a step-daughter, D. Jade Malek of Winter Park; two brothers, John Mack Sanders of Scott City, and Louis E. Sanders of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; two sisters, Mary Ann Bull of Hannibal, Mo., and Ordelia "Jackie" Wahrhausen of Hialeah, Fla.; three grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shelley P. Gibson; two brothers, Adam H. Sanders and William B. Sanders; three sisters, Susan A. Sanders, Jennie M. Schmitt and Mae Keesee; and two half-sisters, Lena Spradlin and Lucille McCarty.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later time.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be given to the American Cancer Society.