Don Sanders

Funeral Services at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. J.R. Taylor and Rev. Kent Simpson officiating with burial in the Walters Cemetery.

James Donald “Don” Sanders was born to Wayne Franklin and Opal Irene (Jones) Sanders on February 19, 1932, northeast of Walters and departed this life in Duncan, OK on November 28, 2016 at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 9 days.

Don grew up in rural Walters, graduated from Walters High School in 1952 and also attended college at Oklahoma A&M (OSU). He entered the United States Army, serving his country honorably in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his return from the service he went to work in Alaska doing offshore drilling. He returned home to Walters where he and his dad did house moving and carpentry, and he eventually went to work for the Oklahoma Highway Department, retiring after 25 years with the state as a heavy equipment operator.

He was an active member of the Bible Baptist Church in Walters for many years serving as usher and trustee, and he also built the current church auditorium. He enjoyed water skiing in his younger years and throughout his life has enjoyed bird hunting, gardening, estate and garage sales, visiting, going to the casino and always enjoyed having a dog.

Don married Iva Rae (Eder) Gee on January 19, 1979 at Walters and they enjoyed 37 years together. She preceded him in death on August 22, 2016. He was also preceded by his parents; a brother, Dale Sanders; a son, Benny Gee; a great grandson, Landon Dingman; and a great-great granddaughter, Neveah DeFate.

Survivors include 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Debi Gee, Tammie and David Hunt all of Duncan; a sister, June Bates of Walters; 7 grandchildren, Angie Dingman, Charley Gee, Jason Spanhanks, Raegan Nickerson, Jared Smith, Tyler Smith and Trey Hunt; 15 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.