Douglas Sanders

Fri 3/15/2024 10:09 AM

Funeral services for Douglas “Doug” Lynn Sanders, 69, will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd. in Shreveport. A visitation will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating the service will be Pastor Dino Griffin.

Doug was born on September 6, 1954, in Minden, Louisiana to Doyle and Dorothy Sanders and passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Shreveport.

When Doug was 14, he had a personal encounter with Jesus, and a year later, he was called to the ministry to “feed God’s sheep.” He began teaching from the Bible and leading worship when he was a high school sophomore. He attended Oral Roberts University where he earned an undergraduate degree in New Testament. Doug met Kathy Hawkins prior to her freshman year at ORU. The two dated until Kathy completed her degree. They married and continued living in Tulsa until Doug completed his master’s degree in Old Testament. Following graduation, Doug served on staff at Life Tabernacle Church for five years. Their first child, Tiffany, was born during this time. In 1985, Doug and Kathy felt God leading them to plant Vineyard Christian Fellowship. It was a wonderful day when they were able to meet John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard, and share their vision. Jason was born soon after the Shreveport Vineyard was planted. Doug loved being a part of the Vineyard movement and training people how to minister to others. He loved worshipping both by himself and when leading others in worship. He also loved God’s word and read through the Bible two to three times a year. Doug truly was a great Bible teacher. He wrote a book that has not been published called “Restoring Passion for the Presence of God.” His hobbies were sailing, fishing, reading, and playing tennis. Trips with the family to Estes Park or anywhere else in Colorado were highlights for many years. Doug pastored the church until he was no longer able to do so due to early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Dorothy Sanders. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Kathy Sanders; daughter, Tiffany Cupp (Brian); son, Jason Sanders (Jen); grandchildren, Alaina, Trenton, Tyler, and Brooks Cupp; sister, Linda Moran (Mike); and father-in-law, Bob Hawkins.

Honoring Doug as pallbearers will be Vernon Webb, Brian Cupp, Trenton Cupp, Tyler Cupp, Marc Kurup, Les Albright, Marcel Boutin, and Mike Moran.

Doug will be missed by so many people, but we are grateful that he is no longer struggling and has moved to his forever home. He was preparing for Heaven his whole life. As much as he loved the Word of God and worship, Heaven is certainly a perfect fit for him.