Richard E. "Rick" Sanders

Richard "Rick" Edward Sanders was born on Friday, August 20, 1965, in Leesville, Louisiana to Eva Mae Sanders, née Jordan. He passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at his residence in Steelville, Missouri, at the age of 59 years and 25 days.
Rick was raised and attended school in Leesville, Louisiana. He joined the United States Army in 1982, where he served our country honorably. Rick was previously married to Cornelia Dorfler, and to this union his first two children, Adam and Andrea, were born.
Rick met the love of his life, Tesha Marie Smith, in 2002. They officially married 9 years later, on June 4, 2011, at Meramec State Park in Sullivan, Missouri. During their 22 years together, they welcomed their two children, Kyle and Mahaila.
Rick graduated from Kaplan University, with his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. While at Kaplan, Rick maintained an exceptionally high GPA and was on the dean's list for the majority of his 4 years.
Throughout his life, Rick worked many jobs. He was exceptionally proud of his time as a correctional officer at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, LA, and C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center in DeQuincy, LA. After Rick left Louisiana, he held down many management positions in the food industry, and was a security officer for Boys and Girls Town in St. James, Missouri, which he greatly enjoyed. Due to increasing health issues, Rick had to medically retire in 2005.
Rick's health issues plagued him for many years. He was born 3 months premature, and endured several surgeries in his early childhood for a cleft pallet. He suffered two heart attacks in late 2001. Due to his continued heart problems, Rick had to have a pacemaker/defibrillator put in around the end of 2004. After years of fighting these heart problems, he had his heart transplant on August 30, 2020. Rick fought hard, and with dignity, his entire life. Unfortunately, it would be his diagnosis of metastatic stomach cancer in July of 2024 that would ultimately claim his life.
Rick loved fishing, and was exceptionally good at catching anything, except fish. He was a fan of old western shows, M.A.S.H., and LSU football. He was a history and geography buff, and enjoyed politics. Most importantly, Rick adored his family. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his mother Eva Mae Cauley, stepfather Norman Cauley, and brother Michal Thad Sanders.
Rick is survived by his wife Tesha Marie Sanders, née Smith, of Steelville, MO; his children Adam Cody Lewis Sanders of Clarksville, TN, Andrea "Andie" Wakefield and husband Lennox of Fort Liberty, NC, Kyle Jordan Sanders and Mahaila "Hailee" Ann Marie Sanders both of Steelville, MO; grandchildren Sawyer Ellie Wells of Sparta, KY, and Alexandria Renee Sanders of Clarksville, TN; parents-in-law Rick and Suda Smith of Steelville, MO; sister Wendy Roloff and companion Eric Seigfried of Springfield, MO; sister-in-law Jillian Boyles and husband Lynn of Marshfield, MO; brother-in-law Kyle Meracle of Steelville, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family has chosen cremation as his final disposition. They will have a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Midland Pentecostal Assembly in Steelville, MO. Memorials can be given to either the funeral home or the family, to help with final expenses
Arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri..
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