Maynard Judson Sanders

Maynard Judson “Sandy” Sanders died peacefully in his sleep on July 24, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVeral Donaghey Sanders, his parents, Maynard Robert Sanders and Ida B. Dozier Sanders, and his sister, Ida B. Sanders Crozier. He is survived by his brother, Robert Jackson Sanders (Kay); eight children and their spouses, James Judson Sanders (Judy), LaVeral Sanders Graf (Emil), Michael Donaghey Sanders (Chris), Bradley Robert Sanders (Kathy), Marie Sanders McDuff (Dave), Maynard Jackson Sanders (Fran), Robert Brian Sanders (Becky), and Patrick Damien Sanders (Beth); twenty-eight grandchildren, and twenty-seven great grandchildren. Sandy was a graduate of Georgia Tech, and served in the Navy as a Lieutenant on the USS St. Louis during World War II. He received a Presidential Commendation for Bravery and the Bronze Star for his actions during the battle of Leyte Gulf. He met young LaVeral Donaghey at a USO Club in San Francisco when she came out for the World’s Fair with friends, and they shared a long distance romance during the war. They married in Mobile in 1945, and he moved here and joined the family business, James B. Donaghey Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning. In a few short years, they had a large young family of eight children. Sandy was a devoted husband and father, who loved his wife and his children above all else. He converted to Catholicism during the war, and attended daily Mass all his life. Sandy actively supported St. Ignatius Catholic Church and School, McGill Toolen Catholic High School, the Convent of Mercy, and the Sisters of Mount Carmel, and his example of selfless devotion to the Holy Family was truly inspirational. Sandy was Co-Owner of Donaghey Mechanical Contractors, and served as President of the Mobile Mechanical Contractors Association. He received the Management Award from The Greater Mobile Port Maritime Council. He served on the school boards of St. Ignatius Catholic School and McGill Toolen Catholic High School, and on the Parish Council of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and several mystic organizations. The funeral service will be Monday, July 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The family will receive friends in the Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. Private burial services will be at the Old Spring Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Carmelite Sisters, 716 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36605. Arrangements under the direction of Radney Funeral Home-Mobile, Mobile, AL. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com