Jerry Don Sanders

Jerry Don Sanders, loving husband, the Big Papa, captain of the adventure, keeper of the checkbook, baker of all bread and brownies, but most of all, man after Gods own heart, went peacefully to meet Jesus on November 2, 2023. Although his death was an uninvited separation, we know the deepest longing of his heart has been met, he is now in the presence of God, his joy is complete. Jerry was born to Ruby and Oouchie Sanders in 1941 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He joined an older brother, Ronnie, and later his sister, Darla Sue, came along, making the family complete. The family moved to Layton, California, then to Hanford, California, where Jerry was the pitcher on his Little League team and attended school until 8th grade. When he was 14, the family moved to Estacada, Oregon, where Jerry earned good grades in school and joined the basketball team. He began working with his father building homes and became a good carpenter. This was also the time Jerry accepted Christ and started to carry his Bible to school to minister to his classmates. Upon graduation in 1959, Jerry went on to Northwest Bible College. In the summers, he worked as a fire lookout. He loved the outdoors and animals. He even had a pet squirrel that he trained to take peanuts from his sister’s hand. Jerry graduated college in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry, and he became a licensed minister. For the next three years, Jerry did mission work based at Market Street Assembly of God in Salem, Oregon, and traveled ahead of a men’s quartet, The Pilgrims. In 1966, Jerry became pastor at Hereford Community Assembly of God in Hereford, Oregon. This is where he met the beautiful Lois. Jerry was smitten. She loved Jesus and played the piano. It was a match made in Heaven for the single pastor. They married in 1968, and life truly began. In 1969, Jerry became an ordained minister. They celebrated by welcoming their firstborn, Sarahlee, in June. Rebekah joined the party in 1970, and David added to the fun in 1971. With three kids under 3, they heard God calling them to Firth, Idaho, and became the pastors at the Firth Assembly of God. In ’74, Laura joined the family, evening the count. In ’77, Elizabeth came and shook things up. In 1980, the family was on the move again. This time to Wolf Point, Montana, where Jerry became the pastor of the Assembly of God church there. Three years passed, and the family moved to Orofino, Idaho. This rest from the pastorate, which was intended to be three months, stretched to three years, during which time Jerry worked for the Forest Service doing tree thinning and fire watch. In 1985, Amy was born, making a total of six children. Jerry always had a longing to go to Alaska, and the time came when the family made the move to Cordova, Alaska in 1986. In 1987, Jerry and Lois welcomed Ann, and the family was complete. Jerry pastored in Cordova until leaving for Washington, and in 1995 began pastoring in George, Washington. Jerry said he liked to tell people he lived in George, Washington. In 2002, Jerry and Lois retired from pastoring and began doing mission work. They traveled to New York City and were houseparents at New York School of Urban Ministry. Jerry attended Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas, and then took mission trips overseas to Uganda, Paris, Moldova, Israel, and Tanzania. Uganda was especially close to Jerry’s heart, and he went there three times over the years. Jerry and Lois moved back to Washington state, where he had big gardens, kept llamas, goats, and chickens. He often had the grandkids over and loved to give them tractor rides and take them on adventures. In 2009, Jerry suffered a major stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak. This was hard on him, but because of his faith that God still had a plan, he persevered, and as part of his rehab in learning to use his left hand, he and Lois started the Encouraging Words ministry. Jerry would write out scriptures with his left hand and send the letters to people all over the country as an encouragement. Jerry and Lois were married for 55 years, have seven children, thirty-four grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren. Jerry leaves behind a legacy of faith, prayer, and service. He was always faithful, always true. “The Lord replied unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord.’” Matthew 25:23

Tributes

Jerry Don Sanders

May 3, 1941 - November 2, 2023