Frank James Sanders

He will always be remembered as a caring, generous and loving christian man.

In 1936 he began working as a used car salesman at Rodman Chevrolet.

In 1937 he met and married Jane Parker and they were happily married for 65 years until she passed away in 2003.

In 1939 he opened a Frigid Food Locker business; it was something new at that time. A few months later he opened a second one in Sanger. He opened a used car lot at 3000 East Tulare Street, because he loved the automobile business.

For special events, he would rent the Wilsons, Warner and Tower theaters for a free Saturday show for children. At Christmas Santa would come to the car lot and families would be invited to drive through and receive free Christmas stockings filled with candy. People came from all over the valley.

In 1955 he purchased the Lincoln Mercury dealership. Soon he found the company needed more space so he moved from Prior and Shelton's location on Fulton street to a large building across from the used car lot. He also built a showroom for his foreign car sales. In 1973 the business moved to North Blackstone Avenue, where it is today.

He was active in a number of community organizations, including the Boy Scouts and served as President of the Rotary and also the Chamber of Commerce. He was chairman of the Century Circle for Community Hospitals of Central California.

Frank and Jane enjoyed many sports, particularily horseback riding, fishing and golf. They loved to travel and played golf around the world.

In 1952 they joined the Sunnyside Country Club and then in 1956 he built and served as President of the Belmont Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, J.H., Verne, Jack and Sterling; and his sisters, Gladys Karl and Peggy Repass.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret Rutledge of Clovis; and his daughters, Linda Sanders and Sharon Rising and her husband Nelson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Elizabeth Palsgaard and her husband Loren, Christopher Rising and his wife Anna-Christine, Corinne Rising and Matthew Rising. He is survived by six great-grandchildren.

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will purse all the days of my life and I will live

in the house of the Lord forever."

Visitation will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Thursday, August 11, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1540 "M" Street in Fresno on Friday, August 12, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Belmont Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nancy Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw Ave. Ste. B-6, Fresno, Ca., 93711.

Arrangements under the care of Lisle Funeral Home.