J Ray Sanders

J Ray Sanders
1933-2013

J Ray Sanders departed this life on October 15, 2013, following a valiant battle with cancer. Born November 13,1933, in
McDade, Texas, J was the eldest of three children born to Joe Lee and Jewel Bernice Rhodes Sanders - big brother of
Judith Lynn and Janice Kay.
J graduated from Elgin High School in 1951, having been a stalwart lineman for the Wildcats and working part time at
the Elgin Courier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served four years, primarily in the South Pacific.
On June 2, 1956, J and Gwen Ging were married in Coupland, her hometown. That union grew in love and added two
daughters, Lori Ann in 1960 and Sheri Lynne in 1963.
Residing in Austin, Texas, J first worked as an electronic technician in a field that really was flourishing. He decided to
join forces with the Department of Public Safety and soon moved into the criminalist field as a Polygraph specialist. He
retired from DPS in 1987 after 29 years of experiences that he often recollected with enjoyment.
During that time the family moved to' Houston and lived there from 1966 to 1972. After that six years, the family
returned to Central Texas, settling in Round Rock until 1983 when J and Gwen moved to their home near Coupland.
J and Gwen spent many years evangelizing for Christ and were associated with establishing churches in Georgetown,
Round Rock, Austin and Hutto. His last earthly church home was New Hope Christian Church, a family that he dearly
loved and cherished.
J loved to hunt, annually making the deer season a major event not only for himself but for his family as well. Gardening
was another of his enjoyments and he continued to ply the trade of his grandfathers in his own personal garden until
last fall.
J lost his life partner of 54 years when Gwen died in 2011. He continued to live in his country home until his death on
Tuesday at the St. David's Medical Center in Round Rock.
His family was his life, all of them living near him until his death. He dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ and based
each of his life decisions on Christ's principles. J was a courageous, generous, kind and righteous man of high moral
standards. He shared all of these traits both with his family and all those with whom he came in contact, making positive
impact on the lives of many people.
Remaining to cherish his loving memory are his daughters: Lori and her husband, Randy Kirk and Sheri and her husband,
David Gipson, all of Coupland as well as his grandchildren, Chad Kirk and his wife, Jamie, of Hutto; Lance Kirk of Thrall
and Seth and Kelsey Gipson of Coupland and great-grandchildren Mykayla, Peyton, Carlie and Ainsley Kirk. Others
remaining who felt his positive impact include innumerable family members, friends and acquaintances.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Christian Church - Hutto Texas or Hospice Compassus – Round Rock,
Texas.

A visitation will be held 1:30 PM, Friday, October 18, 2013, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home with Celebration of Life Services to begin at 3:00 PM.

Arrangements entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home.