In the early morning hours of May 25th 2017, John Estel Sanderson Sr. (“Sandy”) went peacefully to be with the Lord.

John was born to Leonard and Elsie Sanderson on Oct. 31, 1925. He attended Lebanon Oregon High School and graduated with the class of 1943. He also completed an Aviation Sheet Metal trade school on June 4 of the same year. Shortly after graduation John joined the United States Navy, where he served his Country as a Quartermaster Second Class during WWII, Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

John was married to the love of his life, Irene O’Hearn on June 26, 1948. In 1950, the young couple moved to Humboldt County, where together they raised their three children, Barbara, Marcia, and John Jr. John worked for a short time in the woods before beginning his career as a logging truck driver. John and Irene had a love that storybooks are written of. Inseparable until the end, as written in Alder Bays Newsletter, he could frequently be found “with his wife Irene, having a cup of coffee in the living room.” He also said that he was “enjoying his time very much,” there. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary, this June.

John was a kind man with a big heart. A man with a smile and eyes that could light up a room. He loved his family so very much, and enjoyed our many picnics, holidays, and birthdays spent together. He was never one to turn down a good game of croquet, and boy was he a great croquet player! He and Irene loved to visit Reno and our local casinos. He recently shared in an interview with Alder Bay staff, “I would still like to go back one day!” Though that was not meant to be, we take comfort in knowing that being in heaven is bringing him more joy than anywhere on earth ever could.

Until we meet again, we will miss you…

John is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Irene Sanderson; his daughters Barbara Dean and her husband Don, Marcia Henson and her husband Steven, and his son John Sanderson Jr and his wife Cheryl; his grandchildren, Mark Broom and his wife Stephene, Jeremy Henson and his wife Dusty, Marissa Miller and her significant other Kevin Ramie, Crystal Dyar and her husband Keith, and Jennifer Sanderson; his great-grandchildren, Cyndell Bemis, Sacha Broom, Chelsea Love and her husband Jasper, Tayler Henson, Kasey Henson, Makenzie Henson, Sierra Miller, Lucas Miller, Keegan Dyer, Brayden Dyer, Johnny Vanvoltenburg, and Cage Mulvaney. Also by his great-great-grandson Carter Love.

He was preceded in death by his mother Elsie Sanderson and father Leonard Sanderson, and all of his siblings — sisters Geneva Swinney, Loretta Beard, Brothers Ivan Sanderson, and Bob Sanderson — as well as numerous loved ones who have gone before him.

The family is so very thankful for the love and care provided by Alder Bay staff, Doctor Mahan, Dr. Kate, Hospice of Humboldt and for John and Irene’s beloved neighbors of many years, Vicky Henry and her family.

Visitation will be at Sanders Funeral Home May 30, 2017, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. for family, and for friends 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be at Sanders Funeral Home May 31st at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Ocean View Cemetery. Donations may be made in John’s name to Bright Focus Foundation, researching for a cure for Dementia and Alzheimers disease.

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The obituary above was submitted by John Sanderson’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.