James Jake Carlos Sanders

James “Jake” Carlos Sanders, 82, passed peacefully at home on March 6, 2026. Known as James, J.C., Dad, Daddy Jake, Grandpa Jake, and occasionally “Jake the Snake”, he was most simply Jake: the goofy guy with a big red beard, and colorful welder’s cap, usually found drinking a Busch Light with family and friends at a local dive bar.

Born February 21, 1944, in Yakima, WA, to Annie and Carlos “Jack” Sanders, Jake was the youngest of three. From his earliest days as “J.C.,” he was deeply bonded with sisters, Virginia “Jean” and Shirley. He found a second mother in Jean and a true partner-in-crime in Shirley. The family moved throughout the Yakima Valley for farmwork, eventually settling on Keyes Road in Yakima in 1955. After Jean’s death in 1984, Jake and Shirley remained close, roaming the valley on motorcycles, jeeping, camping, fishing, and eventually traveling the world together. A 1962 East Valley High graduate, Jake joined the Marine Reserves in 1965, beginning a lifetime of veteran pride. In 1966, he met “a cute Cuban girl,” Perla Benitez; they quickly married and had three children: Sirena, Eric, and Jozette. Following their divorce, Perla married Vern Collins, whose daughter Christie became a sister to Jake’s children and eventually part of his own family.

A proud member of Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 66, Jake began his trade in 1967. His handiwork is everywhere: from most buildings in the Valley, to the Hanford site in the '80s and Seattle’s Experience Museum Project (EMP) in the '90s. He retired from Metal Benders in 2003, but his legacy stands in downtown Seattle, now the MoPOP Museum and Yakima, on the corner of Yakima Avenue and Second Street, via the “Abundance” sculpture of metal, glass, and stone.

Throughout his life, Jake enjoyed square dancing, jeeping, woodwork, music, and attending concerts. Favorite pastimes were floating the Yakima River, shooting, fishing, camping, long drives, and traveling. Jake drove cross-country a few times, but his most adventurous trip was with his sister, Shirley, and daughter, Sirena, to visit his youngest daughter, Jozette, when she lived in Venezuela. Together, they boated down the Amazon River and flew above Angel Falls.

After retiring, Jake spent several months driving cross-country with good friends, visiting many national parks, historical sites, family, and friends, stopping to gold pan and rockhound. Jake remained an advocate for the military and the trades, encouraging youngsters to join the military and learn a trade, crediting them as the best things he ever did. He enjoyed weekly breakfasts, for the last 14 years with fellow retired sheet metal workers.

Over the years, relationships evolved, and Jake became part of a big, crazy family, that included Perla, Vern and extended family. Jake spent most holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations with family, attending grandkids' school and sporting events and taking several camping trips and vacations all together, even to Disney World! He could be counted on to always bring pickles and black olives to family events. A "big kid" at heart and loyal friend, Jake loved teaching his grandkids to fish, hunt for treasure with metal detectors, and meeting friends for a beer or a meal. He celebrated his 82nd birthday with his daughters and lifelong friends just two weeks before his passing. He will be missed.

On borrowed time, Jake outlived his parents; sisters, Jean and Shirley; son, Eric; and grandson, Santana. He is remembered with love and laughter, by daughters Sirena (Andy), Jozette (Gabe), and Christie (Matt); grandchildren Jacob, Marley, Liam, Logan, Zander, and Dante; extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Visitation: March 27, 3:00–7:00 pm, Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home, Yakima.

Service: March 28, 11:00 am, Langevin El Paraiso.

Graveside Service: March 28, West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima.

“Wake for Jake” following burial, will be held at the VFW, Yakima. Sharing stories, side dishes, desserts and kids are welcome.