Gene Sanders

Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Hastings Baptist Church, Hastings, OK, Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. with Ronnie Bohot officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

C.E. “Gene” Sanders Jr., also known as Bud, was born to Crate Eugene and Emma Frances (Patterson) Sanders on August 10, 1936 at Amarillo, TX and departed this life in Duncan, OK on June 8, 2018 at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 29 days.

Gene grew up in Westville, OK. At age 18 he moved to Glendale, CA, living with a cousin. There he met Mary Lou Ripley and they later married on February 14, 1956 at Glendale. They eventually made their way to Coolidge, AZ, where they lived until moving to Hastings, OK in 1972. Gene spent most of his life as a cross country trucker. He also worked at Pinal County Sheriff’s office, Arizona State Prison in Florence, was a dredge operator for TXI sand plant, and did farming and harvesting with Tiner Bohot and others through the years. He enjoyed fishing, mowing and his dogs.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Debbi Timms; his son-in-law, Jerry Busby; 4 sisters, Inez, Lois, Frankie and Vera; and his brother, Billy.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou, of the home; his daughter, Jimmie Busby of Waurika, OK; his son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Faith Sanders of Arcadia, OK; 7 grandchildren, Jeremy Sanders of Tulsa, Josh Sanders and Karissa Minson both of Oklahoma City, Preston Glasgow of Temple, Randi Berry of Waurika, Ryan Busby of Woodward and Camron Busby of Waurika; 17 great grandchildren; close friends Glenda and Harvey, other friends and relatives.