Bobby Gene Sanders Sr., of Fort Smith was born to John R. and Nonnie Niece Sanders on January 14th, 1924.
He passed away at the age of 91 on November 18th in Fort Smith under the care of Peachtree Hospice at Sparks hospital.
The youngest of nine brothers and sisters, Bobby graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jo Bell on August 1, 1943. As WW II approached, he joined the then-Army Air Force branch of armed forces to begin his service to his country and achieved the rank of Sergeant, receiving numerous commendations including Two Oak Clusters. Upon his return from his final tour in Germany in 1946, he was blessed with his first child, Bobby Sanders, Jr.
Following the War Bobby and his wife Betty began their lives together. Since he was 14, he had always worked in the grocery business, so it seemed natural to continue this as his career. He began with the Kroger Company, followed by the Roger Dodger store and then opened a store of his own, Boys Market. Through hard work and dedication he worked his way to ownership of a larger IGA- Shopper's Fair store and upon selling the store he went to work for Griffin Grocery and Affiliated Foods until his retirement at age 70.
Bobby was a scratch golfer and he won the Fort Smith Country Club city championship on several occasions. Aside from his passion for golf, he loved the Dallas Cowboys and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Bobby was able to live with his daughter, Jayne, and grandson Lane Hughes for the last 12 years which was a blessing. He was able to live at home until his last days, which taught all involved about his amazing 91-year life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 8 brothers and sisters; his wife of 55 years, Betty Jo; and his eldest son Bobby Sanders, Jr.
He is survived by two children, Stephen Michael Sanders and wife Peggy of Fort Smith; and Jayne Sanders Hughes of Fort Smith and her Fiancé, John Elliott of Davis, OK ; as well as 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild whom he met in October and was able to bond with in the last two months.
Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 12 Noon Monday, November 23, 2015, at U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be: David McMillan, John Elliott, Steve Knight, Mac Jenkins, Brian Gilker, and Philip Thompson.
He passed away at the age of 91 on November 18th in Fort Smith under the care of Peachtree Hospice at Sparks hospital.
The youngest of nine brothers and sisters, Bobby graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jo Bell on August 1, 1943. As WW II approached, he joined the then-Army Air Force branch of armed forces to begin his service to his country and achieved the rank of Sergeant, receiving numerous commendations including Two Oak Clusters. Upon his return from his final tour in Germany in 1946, he was blessed with his first child, Bobby Sanders, Jr.
Following the War Bobby and his wife Betty began their lives together. Since he was 14, he had always worked in the grocery business, so it seemed natural to continue this as his career. He began with the Kroger Company, followed by the Roger Dodger store and then opened a store of his own, Boys Market. Through hard work and dedication he worked his way to ownership of a larger IGA- Shopper's Fair store and upon selling the store he went to work for Griffin Grocery and Affiliated Foods until his retirement at age 70.
Bobby was a scratch golfer and he won the Fort Smith Country Club city championship on several occasions. Aside from his passion for golf, he loved the Dallas Cowboys and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Bobby was able to live with his daughter, Jayne, and grandson Lane Hughes for the last 12 years which was a blessing. He was able to live at home until his last days, which taught all involved about his amazing 91-year life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 8 brothers and sisters; his wife of 55 years, Betty Jo; and his eldest son Bobby Sanders, Jr.
He is survived by two children, Stephen Michael Sanders and wife Peggy of Fort Smith; and Jayne Sanders Hughes of Fort Smith and her Fiancé, John Elliott of Davis, OK ; as well as 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild whom he met in October and was able to bond with in the last two months.
Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 12 Noon Monday, November 23, 2015, at U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be: David McMillan, John Elliott, Steve Knight, Mac Jenkins, Brian Gilker, and Philip Thompson.
Bobby Gene Sanders Sr., of Fort Smith was born to John R. and Nonnie Niece Sanders on January 14th, 1924.
He passed away at the age of 91 on November 18th in Fort Smith under the care of Peachtree Hospice at Sparks hospital.
The youngest of nine brothers and sisters, Bobby graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jo Bell on August 1, 1943. As WW II approached, he joined the then-Army Air Force branch of armed forces to begin his service to his country and achieved the rank of Sergeant, receiving numerous commendations including Two Oak Clusters. Upon his return from his final tour in Germany in 1946, he was blessed with his first child, Bobby Sanders, Jr.
Following the War Bobby and his wife Betty began their lives together. Since he was 14, he had always worked in the grocery business, so it seemed natural to continue this as his career. He began with the Kroger Company, followed by the Roger Dodger store and then opened a store of his own, Boys Market. Through hard work and dedication he worked his way to ownership of a larger IGA- Shopper's Fair store and upon selling the store he went to work for Griffin Grocery and Affiliated Foods until his retirement at age 70.
Bobby was a scratch golfer and he won the Fort Smith Country Club city championship on several occasions. Aside from his passion for golf, he loved the Dallas Cowboys and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Bobby was able to live with his daughter, Jayne, and grandson Lane Hughes for the last 12 years which was a blessing. He was able to live at home until his last days, which taught all involved about his amazing 91-year life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 8 brothers and sisters; his wife of 55 years, Betty Jo; and his eldest son Bobby Sanders, Jr.
He is survived by two children, Stephen Michael Sanders and wife Peggy of Fort Smith; and Jayne Sanders Hughes of Fort Smith and her Fiancé, John Elliott of Davis, OK ; as well as 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild whom he met in October and was able to bond with in the last two months.
Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 12 Noon Monday, November 23, 2015, at U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be: David McMillan, John Elliott, Steve Knight, Mac Jenkins, Brian Gilker, and Philip Thompson.
He passed away at the age of 91 on November 18th in Fort Smith under the care of Peachtree Hospice at Sparks hospital.
The youngest of nine brothers and sisters, Bobby graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jo Bell on August 1, 1943. As WW II approached, he joined the then-Army Air Force branch of armed forces to begin his service to his country and achieved the rank of Sergeant, receiving numerous commendations including Two Oak Clusters. Upon his return from his final tour in Germany in 1946, he was blessed with his first child, Bobby Sanders, Jr.
Following the War Bobby and his wife Betty began their lives together. Since he was 14, he had always worked in the grocery business, so it seemed natural to continue this as his career. He began with the Kroger Company, followed by the Roger Dodger store and then opened a store of his own, Boys Market. Through hard work and dedication he worked his way to ownership of a larger IGA- Shopper's Fair store and upon selling the store he went to work for Griffin Grocery and Affiliated Foods until his retirement at age 70.
Bobby was a scratch golfer and he won the Fort Smith Country Club city championship on several occasions. Aside from his passion for golf, he loved the Dallas Cowboys and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Bobby was able to live with his daughter, Jayne, and grandson Lane Hughes for the last 12 years which was a blessing. He was able to live at home until his last days, which taught all involved about his amazing 91-year life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 8 brothers and sisters; his wife of 55 years, Betty Jo; and his eldest son Bobby Sanders, Jr.
He is survived by two children, Stephen Michael Sanders and wife Peggy of Fort Smith; and Jayne Sanders Hughes of Fort Smith and her Fiancé, John Elliott of Davis, OK ; as well as 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild whom he met in October and was able to bond with in the last two months.
Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 12 Noon Monday, November 23, 2015, at U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.
Pallbearers will be: David McMillan, John Elliott, Steve Knight, Mac Jenkins, Brian Gilker, and Philip Thompson.
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