Our beloved hero, Harry Bruce “Sandy” Sanders, passed into everlasting rest surrounded by his loving family on May 29, 2023. He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, on June 25, 1949, to Walter Eugene Sanders and Millie Sue Bowers.
Bruce grew up in Oklahoma and Colorado Springs until joining the military on August 15, 1968. While stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX, he met his lifetime love and best friend, Diane Sanders. Bruce and Diane married on May 21, 1971, and had three beautiful girls. They were married for 52 years before the Lord called him home.
Bruce is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals and commendations for his dedication and bravery. He served in the Air Force for over twenty years before retiring on February 1, 1989, at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX.
After retirement, he worked for the Texas Department of Transportation and Amarillo College before deciding to fulfill his personal goal of graduating from the University of Oklahoma. Bruce graduated from OU on May 15, 2010, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He became a substance abuse counselor after graduation supporting others through the recovery process.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Sanders and Millie Sue Bowers. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane Sanders and his three children, Terri Renee Hicks, Christine Angelique Sanders (Chrissy) and spouse Carl Spencer, and Autumn Dawn Sanders (Autumn); his sister Terri Geiser, and brother Tony Sanders; grandchildren Christopher Hicks and spouse Taylor Hicks, Kelsey Sanders and spouse Anthony Rivera, Desiree Hicks and spouse Jarrett Long, Jeremiah Sanders, Andrew Sanders-Perkins, and Isaiah Sanders; great-grandchildren Christopher Hicks, II, Taiden Hicks, Elle Hicks, Leilani Long, and Jace Long.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and veteran/soldier, Bruce was a faithful servant leader and was devoted to taking care of others first and working tirelessly for Veterans. He was a true friend, thoughtful, generous, and inspiring; He had a way of bringing together families and friends with his humor and a direct way of thinking. Bruce enjoyed golfing, riding his Harley Davidson, fishing, off-roading in his Jeep, and especially watching his Oklahoma Sooners! He enjoyed all these things, however, what mattered the most to him was his family. He was by far the most loving and dedicated family man God has created. Bruce will leave a void in our lives; however, the special memories will never go away and his legacy will live on.
Memorial Service to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home & Memorial Park (1917 Archer City Highway, Wichita Falls, Texas 76302). Reception to follow.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com for the Sanders family.
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