Larry Lee Sanders Sr.

The life, the myth, the legend the "Colonel." The holy scripture reads as follows: But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are sleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1Thessalonians 4:13-14
Today we pause to celebrate the life of a devoted father, a beloved brother, a loving grandfather, an adored uncle, a caring coach, a close cousin, and a loyal friend. Larry Lee Sanders Sr. went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in the comforts of his home in Long Beach, California.
The life and legacy of Larry Sanders Sr. was born into time as the seventh child of eight children to the Christian lineage of the late Willie Lee and Maryetta Sanders on August 25, 1951, in Hughes, Arkansas. His parents, Willie and Maryetta, four brothers, Willie Louis Sanders, Santee Sanders, Charles Sanders, and James "Ricky" Sanders, one sister, Helen Sanders-McMillan, his maternal grandparents, Willie and Linnie (Roston) Bowens, paternal grandparents, Elvin and Lina Sanders, three sisters-in-law, Bernice Sanders, Roxanna Sanders and Lucille Sanders, one brother-in-law, Oblenis Gipson, his niece, Angela Holloway and two nephews, Alfred Sanders and Joe Archibald all preceded him in death.
In 1957, at the age of six years old, the Sanders family relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan, from Hughes, Arkansas. His parents immediately united with the Second Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. William G. Wilson and in 1961, they united with the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. John A. Simmons where he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at an early age.
He was raised in a loving and close-knit family and was loved dearly by his parents and his siblings. Larry brought joy and laughter to all of them. To see the Sanders boys with their daddy, Willie, sitting around one another when they were all together listening, learning, and laughing was one of the most amazing sights to see. It was in those circles that Larry got his keen and sharp sense of humor because he learned from the best.
Larry started his education journey in the Benton Harbor Area Schools where he attended Bard Elementary and Junior High School and upon completion of eighth grade, he was promoted to Benton Harbor High School where he graduated with the "Class of 1969" and became a proud "Fighting Tiger" for the remainder of his life.
He was a skilled, smart, and cunning competitor and very athletic. Though small in stature, he became respected as a premier athlete in the annals of Benton Harbor High School archives. During his years as a student-athlete, Larry earned varsity letters in basketball, baseball, and track & field. He held all-conference designations in the Lake Michigan Athletic Conference, (L.M.A.C.), his team was conference champions in both basketball and baseball, district champions in basketball and went on to the regional finals where they lost to a powerful Lansing team in his senior year.
"The Colonel" as he was notably called in the media and the "little man" as he would often refer to himself, left fond memories in the hearts and minds of Benton Harbor High School "Tiger Fans" all across this nation and he will forever be remembered.
In the fall of 1969, Larry and fellow teammate, Lonnie Moltimore, were in the first class of African-American students recruited to play basketball and participate in the university's Marting Luther King Jr. initiative at Western Michigan University. In his sophomore year, because freshmen were not allowed to be on varsity, Larry and Lonnie both became members of the 1970-71 Western Michigan University Bronco Basketball team.
After leaving college, Larry spent most of his adult life in Long Beach, California, but he never forgot his beloved Benton Harbor. His love for athletics prompted him to give back to young athletes what was so graciously given unto him as a child. He returned to Benton Harbor for a season in his life and became the coach of the Junior Varsity Girls Basketball team and volunteered as a coach in Benton Harbor's Little League Organization. He took pride in his position both on the court and on the field and would do anything for his team's parents and players.
While living in Long Beach, Larry held various supervisory roles in manufacturing and held positions in the unions as the union rep. Larry was a fair and gentle man on the job and the life of any party wherever he worked. If there was a joke to cracked he would do the cracking, but he expected excellence from his team and shift. His employees respected his leadership, and he respected them.
In the most recent years of his life, once again his love for athletics allowed him to become the assistant coach of basketball at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California, under the leadership of a young man that he had helped in his youth who never forgot what Coach Sanders had done for him in his time of need and he coached until his health began to decline. Coach Larry loved the student athletes and gave them all that he had to offer.
To know him was a privilege and to be loved by him was an honor. Larry loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He had a special relationship with each one of them and they each gave him immense joy and happiness. Larry could not wait to report what each of them had going on in their lives to family and friends. He did the same thing with his nieces and nephews, and they all loved their Uncle Larry.
Rest On Colonel Larry Sanders Sr., you will forever be remembered in the hearts of your family and Tiger Nation. Thank you for all of the love, kindness, protection, wisdom, and humanity shown towards us during your lifetime. We will love you always and forever and we will never forget you.
Larry leaves heartfelt and fond memories in the hearts of his devoted sons, Danum (Dee-Dee) Hunt and his wife, Tamela of South Bend, IN, Larry (Lot) Sanders Jr. and his wife, Latrice of Downey, CA, and his amazing daughter, Janell Sanders of Benton Harbor, MI; his beloved brother and sister, Richard Sanders of Benton Harbor, MI, and Flora (Flo) Mabins of Fort Wayne, IN; 11 loving grandchildren, one beautiful great-granddaughter; his dedicated and devoted caregiver, Travion Smith of and his chosen person, Carol Easter both of Gardena, California, and a host of awesome nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8
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