Wade Sanders

Wade Sanders, of Groesbeck, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at age 82.

There will be visitation on Thursday, July 9, 2020, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. on Thursday in the Chapel, with Reverend Bill Sutton officiating. 

Pallbearers will be Allen Sanders, Cody Sanders, Kenny Sanders, Jonathan Douglas, Jacob Douglas, and Jordan Douglas, Joshua Sanders and Stetson Vest.

Wade was born June 26, 1938 to Carl T. Sanders Sr. and Ruth (Sutton) Sanders in Oletha. He was one of the middle children in a family of sixteen kids.   Wade graduated from Thornton High School in 1959.

He joined the U. S. Marines but after completing boot camp, had to take a hardship discharge to help his family due to an emergency.   Nevertheless, Wade always looked like the Marine he had trained to be with his straight back and sharp looks.

Wade worked for a time in his early life in Houston, putting up signs; then moved to Waco where he worked several years, and then moved back to Oletha. 

He met Jackie Wells of Groesbeck, and they were united in marriage on October 8, 1976, and made their home in Groesbeck for the next 43 years.

Wade was a hard worker, hanging the heavy beams and welding at large commercial buildings and schools, including the Brookshire’s building in Groesbeck.   In later years, he worked for himself building metal buildings, barns, and roofs.   He retired from these jobs in 2007, but always stayed busy, mowing even when it was wet, trimming trees, or fixing anything that was broke.    After raising his own children, he “grabbed” his grand-kids when they were big enough, and started teaching them his work ethic, by telling them that even though they were his “buddies,” when they were on the job, they were expected to work hard as any other employee. 

Wade was a quiet man, hard worker, and very honest; a person knew where they stood with him.   He took care of his appearance, was always clean shaved, and in starched and ironed jeans and shirt when not working.  He liked to fish, and he loved to go gambling at the Casino in Louisiana. He had the patience to sit in one spot and play, and was lucky in winning, using his math skills he had used in his ironwork.  He enjoyed playing dominoes at family gatherings, and he was smart too in knowing the other person’s hands.  

Wade was preceded in death by his parents; eleven siblings: OraLea Johnson, R. L. Sanders, Jimmy Ray Sanders, Loy Sanders, Faye Texter, Glen Sanders, Larry Sanders, Reba Kerzee, Kenny Sanders, Jo Sanders, and Louise Collins.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Patti Sanders of Sugarland; son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Melissa Sanders of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Melissa Sanders of Groesbeck; daughter, Diane Sanders and Michael Anderson; son, Mark Murphy of Groesbeck; daughter, Linda and husband John Douglas of Corsicana; and daughter, Gayla Nabors of Groesbeck.  He leaves behind twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-two great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; as well as a brother, Carl T. Sanders, Jr. of Lake Mexia; brother, Charles and his wife Darlene Sanders of Highlands; sister, Joan Ferguson of Prairie Hill; and many nieces and nephews.