James Sander

James Ruddy Sander, Sr. departed this life on the 29th day of September, 2018.

James was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota on January 11th, 1938 to Ruddy Arthur and Bertha Alice Sander. He moved with his parents, to Bremerton, Washington in 1943.

James had an active childhood, running track, building and racing go karts, picnicking with family at Mount Rainier, and working on cars.

He graduated from Bremerton High School in 1958 and went to work with his dad in construction. One of the big projects was the Manette Bridge in Bremerton. He was drafted into the Army in 1960 and did his basic training at Fort Ord, California. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels". He was then deployed to Fort Hood, in Killeen, Texas. He worked mainly as a mechanic on military vehicles. He did one tour in Germany, from which he retained many fond memories.

While on leave and traveling back home to Washington by train from Dallas, Texas, he met the woman that he would spend the rest of his life with. Kathryn Carol Magers was traveling from Dallas to visit her aunt in California. James had $5.00 in his pocket and offered to buy Kathey dinner, which left him broke for the rest of his trip. And so a love story began. They were married on July 13th, 1963. They resided on the Fort Hood Army Base where their first child, James Ruddy Sander, Jr. was born on March 24th, 1964. After an Honorable Discharge from the Army, James and Kathey moved their small family to Seattle, Washington where James worked for Boeing Aircraft. Their second child, Kathey Geneva, was born on June 24th, 1965.

In 1970, they moved their family to McKinney, Texas and James went to work for Continental Emsco (LTV today), where he worked until retirement. The family resided for many years in Garland, Texas, where their children attended school.

His true love was his family. His passions were fishing, camping, the Dallas Cowboys, and cars…working on them and watching races.

James is survived by his loving widow, Kathey to whom he was married 55 years. He is also survived by his son Jimmy and his wife Lynne, and his daughter Sissy and her husband Rickey.
The joys of his life were his six grandchildren….Kirby Renee Shaw, Stephanie Renee Jones, Kyle Patrick Sander, Brittany Nicole Jones, Paige Elizabeth Sander, and Dakota Leigh Jones.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Divelbiss, Alice Schmidt, Dave Sander, John Sander, Jerry Sander, Ruddy Sander, Jr., and Judy Watson. Preceding him in death, his parents Ruddy and Bertha Sander and his brother Bob Sander.

Many thanks to the McKinney Healthcare and Rehab staff for the excellent care over the last 2 ½ years. We would also love to thank the many friends that James Sander made during his time there that made his time more enjoyable.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday October 6, 2018 at 2:00p.m. in the chapel of Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 601 S. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069.