Sarah Susannah Sanger

Sarah was born in Tulsa in May of 1955 to Molly Ann and Rowdy Sanger. She grew up surrounded by family and spent many happy summers with her siblings at Grand Lake, creating memories that would remain with her throughout her life. As a child, she also loved attending Camp Kanakuk, where her adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors began to take shape. That love eventually led her to serve as a camp counselor at New Life Ranch.

Sarah was independent, clever, witty, adventurous, and deeply generous to the people she loved. She was the kind of person who valued her friendships and remained a faithful friend throughout her life. She had a curious mind and an adventurous spirit that carried her through a life filled with meaningful work, travel, family, faith, and new experiences.

After graduating from Holland Hall, Sarah attended Southern Methodist University, where she was one of the first women to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science. Her career took her to Denver and Dallas before eventually bringing her to Norman, Oklahoma. She ultimately found one of her favorite professional roles as a website architect at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, where she was able to show the extent of her creativity in IT.

Sarah's Christian faith was central to her life. She was a devoted Christian who faithfully attended church every Sunday, and often more. She served as a leader in youth ministry and coordinated several mission trips throughout the United States and to South America. Her faith was not simply something she professed, but something she lived through her service to others, her generosity, and the way she cared for the people around her.

Sarah also had a lifelong love of travel and adventure. She traveled throughout the United States and abroad, including trips to Europe and Australia. She especially treasured traveling with her siblings and visiting her father's longtime friend, Admiral Crowe, and his wife in England and italy. These experiences reflected Sarah's natural curiosity and her desire to see the world and make memories with the people she loved.

Sarah also had a lifelong love of animals and shared her home with several beloved cats and dogs over the years. Her animals were an important part of her life and reflected the tender and caring side of her nature.

Like her father, Sarah was an avid University of Oklahoma Sooners fan. While living in Norman, her love of OU basketball and football would lead her to the love of her life. Sarah met Barry Hurley while they were both attending an OU basketball game. Barry was the president of the Tip-In Club, the Sooner basketball booster club, and the two quickly discovered a shared passion for the Sooners.

Sarah and Barry spent more than ten wonderful years together. After they met, Sarah happily embraced Barry's busy and exciting life following Sooner athletics. Together, they attended nearly every home game and traveled to numerous away games across the country. One of their favorite traditions was attending the OU-Texas game in Dallas. For Sarah, these trips were about more than football and basketball—they were about adventure, friendship, and sharing life with Barry.

Some of Sarah's happiest times were spent with Barry at their lake house on Grand Lake. There, surrounded by family and friends, she could relax and enjoy the things she loved most: good company, time on the water, and being with the people who mattered to her.

Sarah spent the remainder of her life with Barry in Norman, where she built a life filled with faith, friendship, family, travel, the Sooners, and the simple joys of time together.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents Molly Ann and Rowdy Sanger.

She is survived by her sister Sandy Ellis; sister Dana Gordon and husband Chris; brother Tod Sanger and wife Diane, and her beloved nieces and nephews Christina, Boone, Brittany, Trent, Callie, Paige, and Brian, as well as many extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Sarah's life was marked by an independent spirit, an adventurous heart, a quick wit, steadfast faith, and a remarkable capacity to love and give to those around her. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories and the lasting impression of a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and remained true to herself.

A celebration of Sarah's life will be held at St. Luke's Church at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.