Bob Sanders

          Funeral services for Bob Sanders, 83, of Lufkin, will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Wells.

          Bob Sanders was born in Shawnee, OK, January 24, 1941, to parents, Thelma Dunagan Sanders and Orvell Sanders. On Friday, November 22, 2024, Bob found much needed rest & healing, having fought the good fight, passing from this world to Heaven at Baylor St. Lukes Hospital in Houston.

           Bob spent most of his childhood growing up in Palmdale, California while his dad was pastor in North Hollywood. He, his three sisters and their mom spent a great deal of time with his paternal grandparents, Elmer and Ardee Sanders.

            At 17 years old, on August 27, 1958, Bob joined the Navy and served on the USS Coral Sea, a Midway-class aircraft carrier, during the Vietnam war. He said they were stationed off the coast of Laos ready for action. He was honorably discharged on January 2, 1962.

            As an adult Bob spent much of his life in Arizona, the place he called home. There he married, had children, and worked numerous jobs. During this time, he dealt with some real-life struggles, leaving marriages & children behind only later to offer amends after becoming an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1986. To those amends, his children responded graciously, generously, and with forgiveness.

          After 1986, he received his bachelor's degree and worked as a Licensed Chemical Dependency counselor for many years. This was a work that he loved. He knew first-hand the gifts and responsibilities of living a sober life. His life of service began early in his sobriety and continued until simply days before his death. Alcoholics Anonymous was such a significant part of his life as he often stated it saved him and gave him so many opportunities to love and serve others. He sponsored and mentored countless people in that fellowship.

          Bob was genuinely kind, extremely creative, and loved his family and others beyond words. He was known for being nonjudgmental, generous with his time, patience, persevering, and living by his principles. He brought joy and encouragement with his easy manner, infectious smile, unique laugh and was always ready to lend a hand. Bob was a man who loved God and sought to do God’s will in his daily interactions with others. He was of the Christian faith and a member of First Christian Church in Lufkin.

          Bob is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jan Hensarling, Lufkin, TX. Other survivors include his children Sean Hemmerle and wife, Julia Whitney-Barnes, Poughkeepsie, NY; Shannon Cartmell and husband, Bill, Mesa, AZ; T.K. Stephens and her husband Todd, Mesa, AZ; Jeff Sanders and his wife, Sharon, Safford, AZ; Heather Hensarling Payne, Bastrop, TX; and Chalon R. Hensarling, Jonestown, TX. Grandchildren include Whitney Wiseman and husband, Justin, Austin, TX; Garrett Payne, Allen, TX; Ashlee Payne, Round Rock, TX; Lindsey Slagle and husband, Collin, Austin, TX; Chase Hensarling, Nacogdoches, TX; Madeline Escalante and husband, Chandler, Mesa, AZ; Newton Henderson, Lillian Henderson, and Owen Henderson, all of Mesa, AZ; Cody Sanders and wife, Phoenix, AZ; Magnolia and August Hemmerle, Poughkeepsie, NY. Bob is also survived by three sisters, Betty O’Donnell, Shingle Springs, CA; Jean Masi, Hohenwald, TN; Linda McDaniel, Gary, TX; and brother-in-law, Larry Stone, Red Rock, TX as well as 9 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

          Bob was pre-deceased by his parents, grandparents, brothers-in-law, Tom O’Donnell and Jack McDaniel.

          Pallbearers include Jeff Buchanan, Matt Carnes, Chase Dupree, Gerald Freeman, Jimmy Hendricks, Melvin Hicks, Donnie Sanders, and Keith Wideman.

          Honorary pallbearers are the friends of Bill W. and Lois

          Special memorials may be made to the Alcohol Drug Awareness Council, 304 N. Raguet Street, Lufkin, TX; First Christian Church, 1300 South First Street, Lufkin, TX or any other fellowship or charity of your choice.

          The family wishes to express appreciation for the tremendous love, support and prayers extended to them during this difficult time. Also, many thanks to Dr. Ravinder Bachireddy and Dr. Angela Hafernick, along with their staff, for the excellent medical care and attention given to Bob during the past 12 years.

          Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2024, at Shafer Funeral Home.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.