Dr. Fred Vernon Sanders (81) of Kingsport, TN went to be with the Lord on November 18 after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Princeton Indiana to the late Charles Sandford Sanders and Bernice Jeanette Weatherholt Sanders. His brother, Roy Norman Sanders, and sister, Sybil M Niemann, preceded him in death. Dr. Sanders graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry before spending two years in service of the United States Army in Fort Huachuca, Arizona where he attained the rank of captain. He then returned home and spent 42 years serving his many friends in Oaktown, Indiana as their local dentist. He was a long-time member of Shaker Prairie Christian Church in Carlisle, Indiana where he served as deacon and elder. He also worked to improve the dental profession serving in various capacities in the Indiana State Dental Association.
He lived a life of service to his fellow man and the Lord, was a friend to many and never at a loss for words. An engineer at heart, he loved “tinkering” with just about anything that had an adjustment knob (e.g. water heaters, thermostats, etc.). He had many interests including hunting, target shooting and camping in his beloved “boonie wash” in Arizona. He returned to Arizona many times taking as many family and friends who would go. He lived fully in this life while preparing for the next, often serving or donating quietly behind the scenes to a variety of Christian causes.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet Iris Anderson Sanders and two sons, Brian Sanders and wife Kathy of Kingsport, TN and David Sanders and wife Tricia of Parkersburg, WV. Grandchildren include Victoria (Tori) Sanders, Erika Sanders, Michael Sanders, Nicholas Sanders, Dakota Rippeto (wife Amber) and great grandchildren Chase Rippeto and Isabella Rippeto.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 22, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Colonial Heights Christian Church. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm with Pastor David Mullins officiating.
Dr. Sanders will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00am at East Lawn Memorial Park in the Apostles’ Estates.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that friends may donate to the food ministry where he served at Colonial Heights Christian Church (105 Meadow Lane, Kingsport, TN 37663) or to the Vanderbilt University Pancreatic Research effort at: Vanderbilt Gift & Donor Services, 3322 West End Ave, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203 or by calling 615-936-0230.
