Darrell Clayton Sanders

Born in Olympia to John F. Sanders and Addie J. (Barker) Sanders, he was the fifth of five children. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marguerite J. (Springer) Sanders, his parents, sisters Margaret Engler, Valma Boucher and Thelma Shannon and brother John L. Sanders.

Darrell attended Tumwater grade school and Olympia High School, class of 1944. He served in the US Navy 1944 thru 1947 and worked at the Olympia Brewery until retirement in 1985.

He is survived by his son Darrell L. Sanders (Margo), grandsons Nicholas (Sheila) and Christopher (Marsha), great grandchildren, Keegan, Aaron, Ava, Alayna and one more on the way. He enjoyed his family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graveside service, with a US Navy Honor Guard, will be Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 at 10:00 am followed by a reception at the South Sound Manor, 455 North St.

During his illness we have been reminded many times that Dad was a very nice man. A special thank you to the staff of Olympia Manor, Olympics West and St. Peter Hospital.

For information, call 360-608-2726

The little house on Puget St. in Olympia where Darrell was born, still sits quietly as it did in 1926. The family moved to Tumwater where each child would grow and learn from their parents. He attended Tumwater Grade School and Olympia High School, graduating in 1944. He played baseball, football, basketball and ran in track. While in the 8th grade, he was the fastest on foot in Thurston County at 40 yards. OHS football coach ‘Chick’ Rockey used that quickness in their single wing formation. In spite of the Olympia Bears success, the team once suffered defeat at Aberdeen, with the improbable football score of 2-0.

Although graduating in 1944, he was in the US Navy by the end of 1943. This was typical at the end of WWII. Upon return from Guam, he drove taxi for a short time and met Marguerite Springer at the Evergreen Ballroom. They married on March 4, 1950. At about the same time he took classes at St. Martin’s, was discharged from the Naval Reserve and landed a job at the Olympia Brewery. They became parents in 1952.

He was a member of the Elks and American Legion organizations. He retired in 1985 and enjoyed many activities through the years.. Please recall the great times at Ocean Shores, whether fishing or clamming, sitting by the fire on Christmas Eve…it was warm. It was there that Darrell heard Mt. St. Helens erupt. They would travel in their motor home. Once they strapped it to a railroad flatcar in Texas and rolled through Mexico.

His enjoyment of youth sports carried over to the Rainiers, Pilots, Mariners, Seahawks (thank you Pete Carroll), Cougars and Huskies. He was on bowling teams for many years.

He loved strawberries and got a rash from eating too many of those early summer delights. He liked chocolate milkshakes.

Now, picture this. His parents worked at the creamery in Olympia; not just milk, butter and cream, but real ice cream. Without a freezer, the family ‘had’ to eat all of the ice cream that his Dad brought home from work. In later years, when Darrell’s brother and sisters had moved out of the family house, what did that leave for Darrell to do with the ice cream. Of course, he ate it. Remember, no freezer.

He enjoyed sharing how his parents had gone to Willapa Bay, leaving the kids behind. Darrell and another boy decided to ride their bikes from Tumwater to South Bend.

When young, he could hold his breath, under water, for more than 3 minutes. He had much practice swimming in the Deschutes River and really enjoyed the water around Guam.

He had success fishing, both fresh and salt water. In the reception area, look at some of the trout he landed out of Duck Lake, Ocean Shores. Ask his Grandson Chris about their trip at Westport.

He was proud of his grandsons He appreciated the enjoyment and dedication to music that both grandson’s demonstate.

Just last year, Darrell saw the Doe Bay Community Building, built in 1904 by his grandfather, John Fisher Sanders and Uncle Wiley Sanders. He was pleased.

From us, we say this…We are also pleased. Thank you for the lessons learned, taking us fishing, going to our baseball games, concerts and parades.