J.D. Sanders April 20th, 1926 – July 25th, 2016

Junior David “J.D.” Sanders, 90, of Andrews passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016 in Andrews.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 30, 2016 at McNett Funeral Home Chapel in Andrews with James Clark and Randall Sanders officiating. Interment will follow in the Andrews West Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

J.D. was born on April 20, 1926 in Hill County, Texas to James Monroe Sanders and Ella Clementine Stephens Sanders. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Hester Cozette Rushing on July 8, 1946 in Knox City. They moved to Andrews in 1953. He worked in the oil field for 36 years, working for Cactus Drilling Corporation and Sharp Drilling Corporation, retiring as Rig Superintendent. He loved to work on model airplanes, was an avid water skier, fishing, and built Ham Radios. He was very proud to have a strong work ethic, where he could provide for his family, and everything he did; he did it 100%. He was a member of the Andrews Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife on November 9, 1991, son, Carl Wayne Sanders in 1947, daughter, Deborah Kay Ryals in 2014, 2 grandsons, David and Kevin Ryals, his parents, 6 brothers, 2 sisters.

J.D. is survived by his 1 son, Randall Sanders and wife, Layla, of Kerrville; 4 grandchildren, Shannon Sanders, Jace Clark, Jennye Ratterree, and Don Hood; 8 great grandchildren; and 1 great great granddaughter, Ella; and his Chihuahua companion, Baby.

J.D. will be missed. He always had a great laugh and loved those grandkids.

Here is a little of what I plan on saying, just some notes I typed up in the event I come to a loss for words. I know rare for me, but it could happen.

I have only known JD for a short time compared to most of you. I did not meet him until Jace and I were engaged to be married, around 10 years ago. I found he was easy to associate with. We had shared some of the same thoughts on things (for better or worse) and we enjoyed our tobacco. I appreciated the simple approach he had to life in general.

About a year ago, we were down here in Andrews visiting JD, and Randall was there visiting as well. We were out on the porch talking when I mentioned I was trying to buy a tiller for my garden. JD mentioned he had one and it was “nearly new”.

After some negotiations on price – with Randall mitigating the deal. I purchased the tiller from JD. I used a water hose to spray it off before we loaded it in the truck. It shined a bright red. J.D. to a second look at it and said ” That looks pretty good now. I might need to up the price!” But the deal was done.

I got it home and tuned it up and tilled my garden. It has proved to be a good tiller.

Just a few months ago, I was cultivating my rows with that tiller. JD was on my mind, and I realized he and that tiller had a lot in common. Simple. Hard Working. There to provide when needed, and give 100% to get the job done.

If I were to profile him, I would say JD was a simple life kind of man. He was a hard worker.  He enjoyed family and a good laugh. He was a provider. A fair, and loving man. That’s how I hope we remember him today.

Not long ago – JD celebrated his 90th birthday – on April 30th.  I thought it was funny when we sang Happy Birthday– all the people in the room sang Happy birthday to“ Dad, pawpaw, JD” – – all at once.  JD was a little taken back by all the titles. He raised his hands and said “Whoa. Who am I ?” We all laughed.

What all those titles told me, was that JD was very loved and respected by family and friends that knew him.

I witnessed something else about JD – he had his own relationship with Christ. I’m not a preacher, so I will keep this part short, but it is important to understand this today. The Bible tells us in John 14 – “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

I am a simple man, with a simple understanding of the scriptures. I have read the Bible through several times and I don’t see where Christ mentions denominations. I also do not think Jesus was trying to cause confusion or problem for His apostles and the Church today. Jesus was solving a problem – the scripture tells me that we can worship and come to know Christ with the people or denomination we feel most comfortable with, but the moral of the story is it we have to have a personal relationship with Christ.

Now I have the denomination I attend, as I hope each of you do, but as I study the Bible more I see a simple truth in those verses and hear its echo throughout other scripture.

There are over 350,000 religious congregations in the United States according to the Hartford Institute. Which one is the right one? Does it matter?

I can’t give you those answers, but I can say that it is clear to me that a personal relationship with Christ is the only way. Accepting Jesus and having that relationship with Him is the only way to the Father.

I feel in my heart today, that JD is with the Father. He is no longer tired. He is no longer weak. He is to no longer toil here with us in this life. We will miss him. His memories will carry on through us and the stories we can tell – and though we may mourn and cry today – we should rest our hearts knowing JD is smiling and would want us to be happy for him.

Randall and Jace asked that I play a few songs today. When JD would come visit us, or we would go down to visit him – I would often have a guitar. He seemed to enjoy the older upbeat tempo songs. He would slap his knee to the tempo – maybe just a beat behind – and watch with enjoyment as the kids would try to sing along. I hope that we can listen to these songs today and celebrate the life that JD lived.