Glenn Steven Sanders

Steve Sanders, as he was known by family, friends and colleagues, died peacefully January 7, 2026, in League City, TX, at the age of 79 years with his loving wife by his side. Steve leaves behind a legacy of leadership, integrity, and accomplishment.

He was born on October 4, 1946, in Charlotte, NC, to the late Charles Milton Sanders and late Marcella Geraldine Huskinson Sanders.

Steve’s father’s military service caused the Sanders family to move multiple times every year. Steve often mentioned he attended so many schools during his formative years that he never had roots or lasting friendships until finding his “home” in Texas. In his youth, Steve was a devoted altar boy and once considered becoming an Episcopalian priest.

After graduating from Whetstone High School, Columbus, Ohio, in 1964, Steve enlisted in the US Army during the height of the Vietnam conflict. After basic training, knowledge & skills testing, he was offered Officers Candidate School. Steve declined OCS and instead opted to train as a medical specialist (SP5); Steve was stationed at the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Ascom, Korea.

After an honorable discharge in 1967 followed by two years of community college in Corpus Christi, TX and Marietta, GA, Steve enrolled at the University of Houston in 1969 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. During these college years, Steve supported himself by working as a phlebotomist at hospitals located in the Houston Medical Center. After graduating from U of H in 1971, Steve was accepted into Trinity University in San Antonio where he earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration. After graduating from Trinity University, Steve did his Internship in Healthcare Administration at the Washington VA Medical Center in Washington, DC. For several years afterwards and moving frequently, Steve worked in various sectors of healthcare administration throughout the United States.

In 1982, Steve found his calling when he began his 32-year non-profit healthcare career with Memorial Hermann Health System, serving as VP and CEO of Memorial Southeast Hospital, one of the System’s three satellite community hospitals at that time. The old southeast hospital was situated on a fault line which caused serious structural damage. Steve successfully built a state-of-the-art replacement hospital further south on Astoria Blvd. near Clear Lake City.

In 1994 Steve relished a new challenge when he joined Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital as its VP and CEO. Steve was dedicated to inspiring and growing his hospital management team and employees to make The Woodlands hospital the leading quality healthcare provider in Montgomery County as well as the shining star in the Memorial Hermann Health System.

He was loved, admired and respected by his employees, volunteers and medical staff. Every Thanksgiving Day and Christmas morning over the next 20 years, Steve personally served a special turkey dinner with all the trimmings to employees and medical staff who worked those holidays. Steve made it his mission to personally meet and get to know by name all his hospital employees, volunteers and medical staff. He regularly walked through every hospital department to show his appreciation for their hard work and dedication. He especially loved visiting the Nursery and holding the babies. The thousands of babies born at The Woodlands hospital between 1994 and 2014 have Steve’s signature on their birth certificates. One of his many highlights as CEO of The Woodlands hospital was presenting the annual employee awards. Steve always looked forward to this special event and took great joy in visiting with the recipients and meeting their families who attended these milestone celebrations.

In addition to managing the growing hospital, Steve was committed to helping his community through his leadership, financial support and volunteering. He was an inspirational mentor and role model to many. His community volunteer work included serving as Chairman of the following Boards of Directors: The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, Yes to Youth, Lone Star College Foundation, and LifeGift, the organ procurement organization for North, Southeast and West Texas. In addition, Steve was a founding member of the leadership board for Leadership Montgomery County and served on the Medical Advisory Board for Interfaith of The Woodlands. Steve advocated for and was Instrumental in bringing IRONMAN, the world's premier triathlon series, to The Woodlands, which benefits from an annual $15 million economic impact.

Steve’s proudest achievement, from its concept to fruition, is the Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center, which he considered his legacy. He successfully advocated that Canopy’s services be provided at no charge to all who sought its refuge and support.

As busy as Steve was managing the hospital and volunteering in the community, he still found time for leisure activities. He was passionate about playing golf and played regularly with weekly golf groups. He was especially proud of his one and only 'Hole in One’. Steve also loved monthly poker nights for laughter and camaraderie with great friends, past and present.

Steve had a great sense of humor and sharp wit. His deep belly laugh was contagious. He was most known, and envied by many, for his beautiful pre-mature white hair. He could always be spotted quickly in a crowd. He dressed immaculately as if modeling for GQ Magazine. He never failed to polish his shoes every week, a grooming habit instilled by his father. You would never catch him casualty wearing a T-shirt or flip flops when out in public, whether at the gas station or a quick run to the grocery store. He always said, “You never know who you might run into.”

After retiring, Steve and Kathy looked forward to traveling and experiencing new adventures together. Sadly, it was not to be. After six challenging years of progressive decline, Steve was eventually diagnosed with FTD - Frontal Temporal Dementia. After suffering several serious fall-related injuries, for his safety, Steve spent the remainder of his life in memory care. He passed peacefully with Kathy by his side.

Steve’s death was preceded by his parents and two sisters, Charlotte Marie Sanders Rice and Michelle Annette Sanders Bullard. Mourning his death and cherishing fond memories, Steve leaves his loving and devoted wife of 40 years, Kathryn Massey Sanders, Son U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Ryan Patrick Sanders, Daughter-in-Law Lauren Gillespie Sanders, Granddaughter Avery Beth Sanders, Grandson Crew Jennings Sanders, Stepson Jimmy Bounds, Jr., Nephews Jeremy and Dustin Bullard, Niece Courtney Bullard, and numerous extended family members, friends and former colleagues.

The Sanders family is grateful for the loving care provided to Steve by The Cottages at Clear Lake, League City, TX, and Affinity Hospice, Webster, TX.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Forest Park-The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery, 18000 1-45 South, The Woodlands, Tx 77384.

Funeral services will be held in the Sanctuary at The Woodlands Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380, beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Dr. Edmund Robb III, officiating. Please use The Atrium entrance (#1) from the parking lot. A reception with light refreshments will be offered in Wesley Hall immediately following the funeral services.

Steve’s poker and golf buddies have been chosen to serve as Honorary Pallbearers: The Honorable Craig Doyal, Sheriff Tommy Williams, Barry Millenson, Gil Staley, Taylor Watkins, Bret Strong, Bruce Tough, Tim Welbes, Mike Karlins, Michael Barnhill, Danny Schroder, Rhese Hoylman, III, Jim Carmens, Steve Head, Bob Udell, and in Spirit but never forgotten, Jim Blair and John Holman.

Steve will be laid to eternal rest in a private family burial ceremony accompanied by the U.S. Army Honor Guard following the funeral service reception at Forest Park-The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery, The Woodlands, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances, gifts to honor Steve’s passion for the community may be made to support Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center online at www.memorialhermann.org/canopy, by mail to 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024, or by phone at (713) 242-4400

Steve touched many lives and received numerous awards and accolades during his Memorial Hermann career. The following are but a few of the many honors awarded to him:

The Paul Harris Award - Rotary Club of The Woodlands

Volunteer of the Year - The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce

Honoree, 2006 Heart Ball - Montgomery County Division of the American Heart Association

2009 Hometown Hero - Interfaith of the Woodlands

"May 7, 2014 is Steve Sanders Day" - Proclamation of The Woodlands Township

Honorary Admiral of the Texas Navy - Governor Greg Abbot

Numerous commendations from the U.S. House of Representatives

-The Honorable Kevin Brady

Dan S. Wilford Leadership Award - Memorial Hermann Health System