Mark Kyle Sanders

Mark Kyle Sanders was born on November 27, 1962, in Longview, Texas. He began his career in journalism while still in high school in Kingsville, Texas, as a reporter for the Beeville Bee-Picayune newspaper. Midway through journalism school at UT-Austin, he received the offer of a lifetime and left college to work for the Houston Post and later the Houston Chronicle, for whom he covered state politics in Austin.

The Texas State Capitol is where Mark was bitten by the political bug, and he eventually ended up leaving journalism to work for the Republican Party of Texas, despite fellow reporters’ insistence that he was crazy for doing so. His move was the beginning of his career in politics, and the list of political leaders and candidates for whom he later worked included a US president and a presidential candidate, senators, congressmen, statewide and regional candidates, and county and local officials. His work took him all over the country and even to Ukraine. Mark was good at what he did and relentless in how he did it, which is why he made plenty of friends and enemies along the way. He never took the work personally, however, which gave the opportunity for some of his enemies to become his friends.

Mark’s love of politics was rooted in his love of strategy and high stakes pressure. He was a gifted writer and a happy warrior who loved a good political fight and was incredibly loyal to the people he worked with and for. His little known secret was that he had a big heart, which he guarded fiercely, although 2 Great Dane puppies captured it 2 years ago and refused to let go. He was an avid bidder in auctions and loved finding treasures for other people, especially his wife. Mark was a World War II history buff and had a lifelong interest in NASA and the space program. He was a problem solver—the more challenging the better—and a wily opponent. He was also a stubbornly faithful son, brother, uncle, husband, and friend. He had a quick wit, a sharp mind, and clever sense of humor. His booming laugh will be greatly missed.

Mark spent a good part of his life living hard, with no plans to stop. But God heard the prayers of his family and never took His eye off Mark. After he realized that God really did love him and that Jesus died to give him new life, Mark began living this new life and became kinder, funnier, stronger, and more grateful in his last 10 years, qualities that would aid him greatly in his 4-year battle against terminal cancer. He was not judgmental about people who had fallen on hard times, and he was quick to help anyone he could. Considering his previous lack of practice, he had shockingly eloquent and heartfelt prayers, unique to one who knows he was lost and has now been found. There was nothing fancy or artificial about his faith.

Mark died at the age of 60 in Eustace, Texas on February 20, 2023. He is survived by numerous family who loved him and already miss him. A service to celebrate his life and his new life are scheduled with Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home in Mabank, Texas, at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 25, 2023. He will be buried with many generations of his ancestors at Cottonwood Cemetery, a place he always appreciated for its history and rugged beauty.

Instead of flowers, please consider joining his family in honoring Mark’s request to make a donation to The Chosen, which is a crowd-funded TV series about the life of Jesus, at https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen/pif or to the Henderson County Help Center at https://www.thehelpcenter.org/get-involved-donate-volunteer