He was born on January 20, 1948 in Evansville, Indiana to Sherry (MacGregor) Quirk Sanders and Manson Lee Quirk. He was later adopted by TJ Sanders. He graduated from Harrison High School in 1966 and joined the Marine Corp reserves in 1967 for six years. He attended college in Indianapolis. Gary had a variety of jobs including the L&N Railroad, following in the footsteps of his father, uncle, grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who worked for the railroad in Scotland.
Gary worked in warehousing at several plastics companies. He also was a foreman at Ameriqual Foods during the Iraq War where everyone worked many overtime hours making MREs. He was also proud for working as a drug and alcohol counselor at Parkside Lodge and the Koala Center in Indianapolis.
Gary had a unique sense of humor, loved movies, and was a voracious reader, especially science fiction. He performed science experiments for the fun and enjoyment of his family and friends. He loved waking up his family in the middle of the night to take them out to dark fields where they could watch any celestial event. He, of course, went to Hopkinsville in 2017 for the full solar eclipse. He loved to reminisce and tell stories even if he had already told them to you ten times! Especially to his group of dear long-time friends, some of whom he has known since grade school. Gary adored animals and his pets.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Justin Sanders in 2018.
Gary is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mona (Mobley) Sanders; his son, Sean Sanders of Evansville, his daughter, Holiday Sanders of Davenport, Washington; and his dog, Tory.
The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for their care.
Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Alexander East Chapel. There will be no services held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association, 12800 North Meridian Street, Suite 125, Carmel, Indiana 46032.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.
