James Martin Sanders

Jim was born in Sweetwater, Oklahoma on December 6, 1925 to Allie Mae and Pruda Belle Sanders. He was the youngest of 4 children. He grew up on the family farm in Earth, TX.

He graduated Valedictorian from Spring Lake High School in May 1943. After graduation from Texas Tech University with a Journalism degree in August 1950 he returned to Earth and taught school at Spring Lake HS for 3 years.

Jim married Eddye Mae Crawford on March 29, 1951 in Amherst, TX. They had been married for 49 years when Eddye passed away on July 1, 2000. They had 3 children, (Tim, Melissa, and Michael) 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Jim and his family moved to Midland in 1958 where he went to work for Borden Dairy Company and became an Accountant. After 11 years with Borden’s he went to work for Drilco which facilitated his family’s move to the Houston area in 1975. He retired from Smith International-Drilco in 1991 after more than 20 years of service.

Jim had many interests. He was baptized during a summer revival when he was 10 years old. He was active with the Baptist Church throughout his entire life. He taught Sunday school, especially loved singing in the choir, and had other various responsibilities at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. While his children were young he was involved with the Boy Scouts and his family enjoyed camping for many of their summer vacations. After his children grew up, he and his wife, Eddye, traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, Amsterdam, California, Georgia, Washington D.C. and several other beautiful locations. They enjoyed playing Bridge and card games with their friends. The family enjoyed gathering for every holiday at their Gran and Grandad’s house. He enjoyed watching all the Houston sports teams and especially the Astros as well as his Texas Tech Red Raiders. He also took great pride in maintaining the beautiful yard at his home in Oak Ridge. He enjoyed wood working as well. During his quiet time, he was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading his bible.

Jim is survived by his three children and extended family. Tim Sanders - his 3 children and 1 granddaughter. Melissa Richerson and husband, Mark - their 3 children, daughter’s-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Michael and wife, Janet - their 2 sons, daughter-in-law, and 1 grandson.

In lieu of usual remembrances, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org.

Visitation will be held from 5 pm - 8 pm on Monday, July 29, 2019 at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 S, The Woodlands, Texas 77384. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Oakridge Baptist Church, 500 E. Oak Hill Dr., Spring, Texas 77386. Burial will follow after service at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery, The Woodlands, Texas .