Leonard L. Sanders Sr.

"Sandman" was the name all of his family and friends affectionately called him. He attended Ironton High School and graduated in 1966, where he was a standout basketball player for the Ironton Fighting Tigers Basketball Team. Shortly after graduation, Leonard moved to Indianapolis and was employed at Bryant Heating and Cooling/United Technologies, where Leonard eventually retired after 30 years.

In 1968, Leonard enlisted in the United States Army, where he fought in the Vietnam War and was awarded a Purple Heart. Leonard was honorably discharged soon after due to injuries from the Vietnam War. After Leonard returned home, he would start his family with Lela Mae Watkins Sanders, wife of 52 years, and raise four children. Leonard sought to further his education and he would eventually earn his Associate Degree from Lincoln College of Technology. Growing up, Leonard took pride in taking care of his younger siblings.

Leonard was generous with his time, energy, and love for his family and friends. Leonard was also the life of the party. Once Leonard walked into the room, it was nonstop, laughing with silly outbursts of jokes and storytelling.

Leonard loved to do home improvement projects, fix and maintain cars, listen to music, and watch

sports and movies. Leonard also enjoyed inventing things. When his health started to fail, he found significant pleasure in making music and movie CDs for his family and friends. Above all, he enjoyed being a husband and father.

Leonard loved God and his family. He was baptized at a later age by his brother, Reverend Walter Sanders, Sr. In his early life, his mother made sure he attended Sunday School. Every year at Christmas, he would play one of the three Kingsmen in the church Christmas play.

Leonard departed his earthly vessel on Saturday, December 17, 2022. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Leonard Lee Sanders, II (Junie Pop), one brother, James R. Sanders, aunt, Irene Shelton Polin, uncle, Byron Polin, stepfather, Thurman C. Miller, stepmother, Corrine Sanders, grandparents, several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Leonard Lee Sanders, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lela Mae Watkins Sanders, one daughter, Hope (Jonathan) Andrews, two sons, Marcus (Tequita) Sanders, Byron Sanders, his only grandson, Leonard Sanders III, four beautiful granddaughters, Marklia Sanders, Markia Sanders, Kaliayh Sanders, Lynlee Sanders, his only sister Aleta Sanders Guilford, four brothers, John (Geraldine) Sanders Sr., Walter (Roxanne) Sanders Sr., Carl Alton Sanders, Thurman Todd Miller, and a host of relatives and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Sanders family.