Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
James Sanders Obituary
Carmel, CA
James Sanders passed away peacefully in his Monterey, CA home with his wife Maureen by his side, on Saturday, March 31st. He was 91. Jim is survived by his wife; five children: Lisa, Karen, Leslie, Doug, and Greg; and 8 grandchildren: Ryan, Megan, Alexandra, Michaela, Katey, Michael, Austin, and Skyler. Jim was loved by and truly cherished the company of his family during his very full life.
Jim was born in Kansas City, MO to Chet and Gracie Sanders. He attended New Mexico Military Institute and served in the U.S. Navy as a 17-year-old Lt. (j.g.) in the Philippines toward the end of WWII. He is an engineering graduate from the University of Kansas and attended Stanford University as a post graduate.
Jim began his career as an insurance broker in 1950 with the Aetna Life & Casualty Co., in San Francisco. He soon cofounded the insurance partnership of Sanders & Sullivan in San Jose, with his New Mexico Military classmate Lou Sullivan. Jim married Mary Belton in 1951 and moved to Saratoga, CA where they raised their five children together for 25 years. During these years, he began to pursue his passion for politics by running for the 22nd Assembly District and winning a seat on the Saratoga City Council.
In 1982 Jim was appointed by President Reagan to head the Small Business Administration in Washington D.C. where he had the privilege to serve until 1986. He then joined the Beer Institute in D.C. as President until 1991.
Jim married Maureen O'Day in 1991 and they retired to Carmel, CA. In retirement, Jim actively volunteered with many civic and social organizations and enjoyed tennis, golf, biking, and skiing. Jim and Maureen enjoyed world travels and entertaining friends and family near Carmel by the Sea.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date in Carmel. Interment will be at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga, CA.
View the online memorial for James Sanders
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Sanders
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
3 Entries
April 19, 2018
Please allow your tender memories of your loved one to be as a soothing blanket over your heart. My heartfelt sympathy to the family. Please consider Jeremiah 29:11, 12. May those words within bring you some consolation and a small measure of peace.
Candice B
April 6, 2018
<3 candice
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in James Sanders's name
Memorial Events
for James Sanders
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Sanders's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
