James Scott Sanbar

A Brief Memorial Portrait

Scott’s Life is Reflected in His Poems:

Scott was a graduate of Casady School in Oklahoma City and had a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. He worked at Boeing as a computer software engineer for over a decade. But what he will be remembered most for are his poems. He wrote about seventy poems which will be compiled in a 2026 eBook in his honor.

Analysis of his poetry reveals a man of sincerity, depth, and devotion. His verses form a quiet autobiography - one written in gratitude, repentance, tenderness, and hope. Through them, we glimpse a soul shaped by faith, softened by love, strengthened by trial, and awakened to beauty.

His poems are not simply words on a page; they are the record of a life lived earnestly before God.

His Spiritual Journey:

Scott’s work traces a profound transformation. In poems of repentance, he speaks honestly of the man he once was and the grace that remade him. In poems of renewal, he celebrates the daily mercy of God - dawn as resurrection, prayer as breath, Scripture as compass.

His devotional poems show a man who prayed for his family, his nation, and a world in need. Faith was not an idea to him; it was the center of his life, the source of his strength, and the hope that carried him forward.

His Emotional Depth:

Scott wrote with vulnerability and courage. He acknowledged loneliness and past wounds yet always turned toward healing. He cherished his former wife’s steadfast love - Barbara, honored his son’s gentleness - Tyler, and held gratitude for every blessing.

His poems also shine with joy -- joy in creation, in the cosmos, in the simple miracle of waking to a new day. Whether writing of tears or laughter, Scott’s heart remained open, honest, and hopeful.

His Worldview:

Four pillars shaped Scott’s understanding of life:

• Faith was the foundation of his identity.

• Nature was a living testimony of God’s glory.

• Family was a gift to be treasured.

• Moral conviction guided him toward unity, humility, and compassion.

He believed that love heals division, that freedom is sacred, and that righteousness exalts both individuals and nations.

His Poetic Voice:

Scott’s poems are marked by vivid imagery – the beach and the ocean, dawn light, mountain streams, furrowed fields, starlit skies, gentle hands, and quiet firesides. His tone is consistently sincere and earnest, even when addressing heavy themes.

Over time, his voice deepened. Early poems delight in nature and companionship; later works carry the weight of testimony, intercession, and spiritual insight. Yet throughout, his voice remains unmistakably his: humble, heartfelt, and grounded in truth.

His Legacy:

Scott leaves a legacy of:

• Faith — a life transformed by grace.

• Love — for God, for his family, for others.

• Wonder — an invitation to see creation with reverence.

• Hope — the assurance that dawn follows darkness, and that Christ’s light endures.

His poems continue to speak, offering comfort, courage, and inspiration. Through them, Scott’s voice lives on --gentle, honest, and full of light.

A memorial service will be held at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel, located at 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. The service is scheduled for March 7, 2026, at 2:00 pm.