Decker Sanders, 75

Decker Jackson Sanders, Jr., 75, of Mountain Home, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2003. D.J. was born July 27, 1928.

A family graveside service will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, in Damon, Texas.

His formative years were spent with his Aunt Mary and Uncle Mac in Louisiana and east Texas. After a tour in the Navy, D.J. met and married his bride of 53 years, Janice Laverne Vick.

D.J. served as a preacher for churches in Texas, Arkansas, and Indiana. He worked in sales, tried his hand at farming, and sheet metal fabrication. He retired from Bell Helicopter in the late 1980s.

The Sanders moved to Mountain Home in 2000 after which DJ remained active in his church activities.

One of D.J.'s greatest joys was quilting, his family said. He was the creator of many prize winning quilts. "D.J. was also quite the orator. Those that knew him know he could talk extensively about many subjects," the family said, adding that "he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather."

D.J. is survived by: his wife, Janice, of Mountain Home; sons Gerald Irving of Albuquerque and Decker Lee and his wife Terri of Mountain Home; five grand-children and one great-grandson.

His youngest son, Charles Hubert, preceded him in death.

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association.