James Clifton Sanders

JAMES CLIFTON SANDERS, 88, of Sherwood, passed away June 9, 2012. He was born Sept. 15, 1923, in New Edinburg, Ark. to the late James Otis and Bertha Rogers Sanders. James was a U.S. Army WWII veteran who served in both Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. After leaving the service he became a civil service electrician and worked for the U.S. Navy in Camden, Ark., and New Iberia, La., before accepting a position at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville where he retired in 1984 as the electrical shop chief. James was also a 55 year member of the IBEW. After retiring he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. As an active member of the First Baptist Church of Sherwood since 1964 and a devoted Christian, James enjoyed spending time with family and friends while living his faith. His strong moral character was evident in his many selfless, generous acts. James was a mason for over 50 years and a member of the Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge no. 754. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary Elizabeth Anthony Sanders; sisters, Dorothy Lindsey and Ophelia Barker; and niece, Faye Barker Bruch. James is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Ann Gehring (Len) of Wheatley; sons, James Anthony Sanders (Tish) of Dubois, Wyo., and John Sanders (Karen) of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Rachel Gehring Sloan (Tyler) of Fayetteville; Rebecca Gehring Brittain(Greg) of Bentonville; Jim Sanders of Casper, Wyo.; and Ashley Sanders of Overland Park, Kan.; nieces, Lee Barker Klappenbach (Norman); Mary Barker Bradford (Johnny); and Margaret Ann Barker Benafield; nephews, Claude Lindsey (Hoi); and Dwayne Lindsey (Deanna). Visitation will be Monday, June 11, 2012, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, with burial following at Bethel Cemetery in Bearden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James' name to the First Baptist Church of Sherwood (building fund), 701 Country Club Road, Sherwood, Ark. 72120, or to Bethel Cemetery Association PO Box 144 Bearden, Ark. 71720. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Ark. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.