Herbert Manning Sanders

Herbert Manning Sanders was born March 18,1947, in Mercedes, Texas. He passed away on October 30, 2025, at the age of 78 after a brief illness with his loving wife and son by his side. Herbert was known as Herb by his friends and family, unless he was in trouble, then it was Herbert, and only his mother was allowed to call him Herbie.

Herb graduated from Donna High School in 1965 and headed to Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, TX for basic training. Herb had a brilliant mind and once the Air Force discovered that he was sent to Monterey, CA to language school to become a Greek linguist and then to San Angelo, TX to gain his security clearance. During the Vietnam War, Herb served on the island of Crete in Greece, where he intercepted and decoded communications. Herb left the Air Force in 1968 with an honorable discharge and returned to Donna, TX and married his first wife, Clara. He started school at Pan American College in Edinburg, TX and graduated in 1972 with a dual degree in physics and math. He welcomed his son, Douglas, into the world in 1976.

Herb had extensive work experience in the oil and gas and petro-chemical industries. He worked at Marathon LeTourneau in Brownsville, TX as a lead pipefitter on the building of jack-up drilling rigs. He moved to Houston, TX to work at Global Marine Drilling as head of the piping design team and construction superintendent for a $200 million dollar project building jack-up drilling rigs at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. Herb worked for Global Marine Drilling until the oil bust caused them to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986. Herb then shifted gears into the petro-chemical industry overseeing the design of many projects with both Jacob's and Mustang Engineering, doing a lot of work on Dow chemical plants. He officially retired from the industry in 2014.

While in Mississippi, he met the woman who would become his wife for the next 41 years. Herb and Julie along with Herb's son, Douglas, settled in Houston, Tx until his retirement in 2014 when they moved to Panama City, FL to be closer to family and get away from the ever-growing Houston area.

Herb had a genius-level IQ and was asked twice to join Mensa. He regrets that he never did. Herb's mind was always working and analyzing. He was extremely well-read and had many interests. He enjoyed classic cars, attending shows and working on his 55 Chevy Bel Air and 1933 Ford Vicky hot rod. Herb built a state-of-the-art stereo system, and he and Julie enjoyed many evenings listening to music – he especially loved The Moody Blues, Phil Collins, and the Beatles. Herb's other interests included stamp and coin collecting, gardening, watching and reading sci-fi, and spending time in his workshop creating with wood and metal. He surrounded himself with the art he loved including his extensive paperweight collection and an eclectic mix of original artwork. Once retired, Herb and Julie became interested in attending estate sales and participating in online auctions. He was proud of his greatest find of a jewelry box containing a tangled mess of jewelry. Purchasing it for $25, it turned out to have over $3000 in gold and silver jewelry in it. Herb loved to research the history, value, and authenticity of the items he purchased. Herb and Julie enjoyed eating out and trying the most exotic items on a menu. Herb especially enjoyed Thai food. Cooking together, they made a great team with Herb whipping up decedent sauces, main courses, and baked goods, while Julie focused on soups, salads and sides.

Herb and Julie enjoyed traveling. Herb went kicking and screaming on his first cruise and as they docked, he was ready to book the next one. They have shared over 10 cruises in the Caribbean, American northeast coastline, South Pacific, South America, Alaska and Australia as well as amazing trips to Niagara Falls, Hawaii, Costa Rica and Vancouver Island.

Herb was predeceased by his parents, John H. (Jack) and Dorothy Foster Sanders and his brother, Thomas Jack Sanders (Nancy). He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Julienne Quave Sanders (Julie), son and daughter-in-law Douglas and Crystal Sanders, grandsons James and Nathan Sanders, brother-in-law Jay Quave and nieces, Olivia and Molly Quave all of Panama City Beach. He is also survived by sister, Patricia Ann (Joe) Barnes, of Three Rivers, TX, brother, Robert Drake Sanders, of Kyle, TX and sister, Cynthia Lynn (Pete) Petri, of Bishop, TX along with numerous nieces and nephews throughout Texas.

The family would like to thank Herb's GP, Heather Taylor, at Advanced Healthcare and Dr. Carlos Ramos at AUI for supporting Herb through this brief illness and for reaching out throughout the process. Vitas Hospice care offered comfort and support, although brief, but much appreciated. Julie would like to thank her lifelong best friend, Lee Ann Dubaz, of Biloxi, MS, for being by her side during and after Herb's illness. She would also like to thank her close circle of friends in Bay County for their spiritual and physical support, as well as her Mississippi and Texas folks who were lifting up prayers and offered support.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM with visitation at 2 PM on Friday, November 14, at Kent-Forest Lawn Chapel, 2403 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Herb would rather you plant some and enjoy their beauty or you can make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html) or Cajun Navy 2016 (https://cajunnavy2016.org/).